JP2024129234A - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing device, information processing method, and program that can smoothly progress a game in which users are associated with element areas, even if the element areas designated by a first user and a second user overlap. [Means for solving the problem] The information processing device has a game control unit, which moves the first game medium and the second game medium in a first period based on the movement amounts determined for the first user and the second user, respectively, and when the first element area based on the designation received from the first user and the second element area based on the designation received from the second user overlap in a second period that occurs within the same turn as the first period, associates the first element area or the second element area with the user determined based on a predetermined condition from the first user or the second user. [Selected Figure] Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

A sugoroku game has been known in the past among computer games such as online games, in which a dice is rolled and a piece is moved across multiple squares according to the number that appears on the dice. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game that is distinct from simple sugoroku games, in which when a piece is moved to a first square in one of multiple areas of a first type consisting of multiple squares, the piece is moved to another area of the first type of areas or to an area of a second type based on a predetermined probability.

JP 2015-016293 A

However, even in a sugoroku game with content that is distinct from the simple sugoroku game of Patent Document 1, if a more complex game element is added in which the first user and the second user compete for an element area such as a square in an environment in which multiple users, such as a first user and a second user, can play simultaneously, the element areas designated by the first user and the second user may overlap, and there is a risk that the game will not progress smoothly.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to allow a game in which users are associated with elemental areas to proceed smoothly even when the elemental areas designated by a first user and a second user overlap.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has a game control unit that controls a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, and in which turns consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period are repeated. The game control unit moves each of the first game medium and the second game medium in the first period based on the amount of movement determined for each of the first user and the second user, and in a second period occurring within the same turn as the first period, when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user out of one or more element areas based on the range in which the first game medium moved in the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user out of one or more element areas based on the range in which the second game medium moved in the first period, the game control unit associates the first element area or the second element area with the user determined based on a predetermined condition between the first user and the second user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a game in which users are associated with elemental regions, the game can be progressed smoothly even if the elemental regions designated by a first user and a second user overlap.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information processing system including an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen at the start of a game. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen in a movement phase. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen in a strategy phase. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery screen in a strategy phase. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen at the start of the next turn. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of functions of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of game information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of square information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of card character information. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing flow according to an embodiment of the present invention; 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a movement phase process. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a strategy phase process.

<About the game according to one embodiment of the present invention>
The information processing device, information processing method, and program of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, taking specific embodiments as examples. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the following description may be given in terms of a GUI (Graphic User Interface). However, since the basic data processing technologies (communication/transmission technology, data acquisition technology, data recording technology, data processing/analysis technology, image processing technology, visualization technology, etc.) required to realize the contents are well-known technologies, the description thereof will be omitted.

The communication system shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as information processing system S) is a communication system including an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as server 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and provides a game playing environment, etc. to a user (hereinafter referred to as user) who is a game player. That is, a user is someone who uses the functions of the server 10, and more specifically, by operating a specific device, the user can enjoy the benefits (services) provided by the functions of the server 10 and play the game. The specific device may be a device owned by the user, such as a user terminal 12, or a device installed in a store, etc., which is not owned by the user but can be used by entering a PIN number, password, etc., or by making a deposit, etc., when visiting the store, etc., or a computer.

A game is content that a user plays by operating a user terminal 12 while viewing a game screen on the user terminal 12 for gameplay, and in this embodiment, it is an online game (electronic game) provided using the information processing system S. Online games include browser games that use a web browser, social games provided on SNS (Social Networking Service), games that can be played by downloading dedicated application software such as mobile games, and regularly updated online games such as play-by-web (PBW). The genre (classification) of the game is not particularly limited.

In this embodiment, when a user performs operations for playing a game on the user terminal 12, the user terminal 12 receives data for progressing through the game that is distributed from the server computer of the game provider, i.e., the server 10. The user terminal 12 outputs video and audio corresponding to the received data, and the user progresses through the game while checking the output video and audio. The user terminal 12 also transmits data indicating the user's operations to the server 10, and the server 10 transmits data for progressing through the game corresponding to the user's operations. This data transmission and reception between the server 10 and the user terminal 12 is repeated until the user finishes playing the game.

The game of this embodiment is a cooperative play compatible game that can be played by multiple users by operating their own user terminals 12. Users can of course play alone against the computer, but can also play with other users simultaneously in a common game area. Cooperative play is performed through the communication function of each user's user terminal 12, and when a cooperative relationship is formed, the progress of play is synchronized between users who are playing cooperatively. There are no particular limitations on the members who play cooperatively, but the user may play cooperatively with other users who are friends with the user and who have a mutually approved relationship between the users (hereinafter referred to as friends). Note that in this embodiment, as described below, a competitive play game in which users compete against each other is given as an example of cooperative play, but cooperative play may also be a cooperative play game in which multiple users cooperate.

In a game, a user can obtain (acquire) and own (possess) game media, and can use or consume the game media that he or she owns. Game media are game objects that the user can use to progress through the game, including gameplay, and include, for example, player objects that are operated within the game, as well as card characters, items, and avatars. There are no particular limitations on how the game media can be obtained. For example, a user can obtain game media based on the results of playing the game, or can obtain game media by purchasing it at a shop installed within the game, or can obtain game media by implementing a so-called gacha, which is a conventionally known method of providing random items.

Each game medium (e.g., card character) has its own personality, and each card character is assigned a name, attributes, various parameters indicating abilities (values related to level, stamina, attack power, etc.), and a type of special ability. Parameters are indicators that affect the progress of the game, and include those expressed numerically, those expressed as ranks written in alphabets such as "A, B, C...", and those expressed by indicators such as gauges. In addition, parameters include those that change as the game progresses, and those that remain constant and do not change regardless of the game progress. In the following, unless otherwise specified, parameters that change as the game progresses will simply be referred to as parameters.

An example of a game to which the present invention can be applied will now be described.
For example, the game of this embodiment is a game in which, in a cooperative play, multiple users (four users in this embodiment) rotate game media, which are pieces operated by each user, around a common game area, and compete among the users for the amount of game value, such as coins, that each user has acquired. Specifically, the game is a game in which turns including a movement phase in which the game media in an element area, which is a square on the game area, is moved based on the amount of movement determined by rolling a dice or spinning a roulette, and a strategy phase in which a strategy is executed, such as placing a card character in the element area to which the game media has been moved and occupying the element area, are repeated until a game end condition is satisfied, and a ranking (game winner) is determined based on the amount of coins acquired at the time when the game end condition is satisfied.

In the game of this embodiment, user 1P corresponds to the "first user" of the present invention, and the other users, that is, users 2P to 4P, correspond to the "second users" of the present invention.
Furthermore, the game medium 1P as a piece operated by user 1P, i.e., the game medium 1P that causes the first user to move an element area on the game area according to the number rolled, corresponds to the "first game medium" of the present invention, and the game media 2P to 4P as pieces operated by users 2P to 4P, i.e., the game media 2P to 4P that causes the second user to move an element area on the game area according to the number rolled, corresponds to the "second game medium" of the present invention.

In addition, in the game of this embodiment, the movement phase that constitutes a turn corresponds to the "first period" of the present invention, and the strategy phase that occurs after the movement phase in the same turn corresponds to the "second period" of the present invention. The movement phase and strategy phase are set for each turn, i.e., one movement phase and one strategy phase each occur in one turn.

Furthermore, the "element area" of the present invention is a part of the game area, and is an area that corresponds to a square (hereinafter, a block) in the so-called Sugoroku game, and one element area corresponds to one block.
In the game of this embodiment, in the movement phase, the squares in the range moved by the game medium (the squares passed by the game medium during its movement) correspond to the "element area based on the range moved" of the present invention.
Furthermore, in the strategy phase, the square designated by user 1P corresponds to the "first element area" of the present invention, and the squares designated by users 2P to 4P correspond to the "second element area" of the present invention.
In addition, the square occupied by user 1P corresponds to the "first element area associated with the first user" of the present invention, and the squares occupied by users 2P to 4P correspond to the "second element area associated with the second user" of the present invention.
Furthermore, a square on which the game medium stops after moving, or a square through which the game medium passes during its movement, corresponds to the "element area satisfying a specified positional relationship" of the present invention.
The number of spaces to which the game medium can be moved as a result of rolling the dice or spinning the roulette corresponds to the "amount of movement" in the present invention.

Next, the flow of the game will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen at the start of a game, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen in a movement phase, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen in a strategy phase, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery screen in a strategy phase, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen when one turn ends and the next turn begins. Note that these game play screens will be described as screens displayed on the user terminal 12 of the user 1P.

(At the start of the game)
2, on the game play screen, a number of squares on which game media 1P to 4P can move are arranged in a continuous ring shape on one game area (24 squares in one circle). The game play screen also displays game end conditions such as the number of remaining turns and the target number of coins, as well as information about the game such as the current phase, and also has user display areas 41 (41a to 41d) and a card deck display area 42.

The squares include priority squares that are automatically assigned to each user at the start of the game, and initially occupied squares. Card characters randomly selected from the card characters contained in the card decks organized by users 1P to 4P are placed on the squares in the game area as priority squares and initially occupied squares. Note that the initially occupied squares are displayed so that all users can see them, but as for priority squares, while user 1P can see his/her own priority square, he/she cannot see the priority squares of other users. In other words, user 1P cannot confirm which squares are the priority squares of users 2P to 4P.

The four priority squares assigned to user 1P are squares on which advantageous game effects (priority square game effects 1 to 3) described below will occur for user 1P when game medium 1P stops or passes through. Similarly, the same number of priority squares as user 1P are also assigned to users 2P to 4P, and the priority squares (not shown) assigned to users 2P to 4P are squares on which advantageous game effects will occur for users 2P to 4P when game medium 2P to 4P stops or passes through.

The initial occupied squares are squares that are pre-assigned to each user at the start of the game. For example, user 1P is assigned initial occupied square A, user 2P is assigned initial occupied square B, user 3P is assigned initial occupied square C, and user 4P is assigned initial occupied square D.

In addition, each square has an attribute or game effect set in advance; for example, the square marked "START" (start square) has game media operated by users 1P to 4P placed on it. In the game of this embodiment, all four users start simultaneously from the same square (start square), and each game medium 1P to 4P moves clockwise according to the movement amount determined for the corresponding user 1P to 4P.

The information displayed in the user display area 41 is displayed so that it can be seen by other users playing the game, and includes each user's name, the number of coins currently owned, and the number of coins currently earned per turn (income per turn). Income per turn is calculated based on the number of squares currently occupied, the level, etc. In the game of this embodiment, the same number of coins (500) are distributed to all users as initial funds before the start of the game, but the number of coins distributed may be varied for each user by setting handicaps, etc.

The card deck display area 42 contains information on card characters that each user has selected from among their own card characters and included in the card deck, and the user can use the card characters included in the card deck in the game. Specifically, in order to occupy a square on which the game medium has stopped, one or more card characters are selected from the card characters included in the card deck and placed in that square. Furthermore, the information displayed in the card deck display area 42 (contents of the card deck) can be seen for one's own card deck, but the contents of the card decks of other users playing the game cannot be seen. In other words, user 1P cannot see the contents of the card decks of users 2P to 4P, that is, cannot see what card characters the other users have included in their card decks.

(Movement Phase)
As shown in Fig. 3, once the card characters have been arranged and preparations are complete to start the game, the game begins with the movement phase of the first turn. In the movement phase, all users 1P to 4P spin a roulette or the like at approximately the same time, and game media 1P to 4P move clockwise through the spaces in the game area approximately at the same time based on the amount of movement (number of spaces) determined for each user 1P to 4P according to the result determined by lottery. For example, game media 1P and game media 4P move three spaces, game media 2P moves eight spaces, and game media 3P moves six spaces.

In the case of FIG. 3, the game medium 2P corresponding to user 2P stops on the initially occupied square C associated with user 3P, so that the game medium 2P and the initially occupied square C satisfy a predetermined positional relationship, and user 2P pays user 3P 60 coins, which is equivalent to the toll set on the initially occupied square C. Therefore, in the movement phase of the first turn, the number of coins owned by user 2P decreases by 60 (500 to 440), and the number of coins owned by user 3P increases by 60 (500 to 560).

In addition, the user can use card characters included in the card deck for a certain period of time before spinning the roulette or the like. For example, a card character can be placed on any designated square to grant a privilege or set a trap to the user who operates the game medium that stops on that square. Game effects in this case include, for example, granting coins, confiscating coins, or forcibly returning the game medium to the starting position, and the specific game effects are determined based on the parameters and special abilities of the placed card character. During the certain period, a message such as "Thinking" may be displayed on the game play screen to allow the user to check the status of other users.

In addition, for users who operate game media that stops on a square on which various other game effects have been preset, game effects corresponding to that square are generated as appropriate. For example, coins are awarded as a lap bonus to users who operate game media that has passed the start square. In addition, coins are awarded as a perfect bonus to users who operate game media that stops exactly on a square marked "WILD" (bonus square).

(Strategy Phase)
As shown in FIG. 4, when the movement and the game effect associated with the movement are completed for all the game media 1P to 4P corresponding to the users 1P to 4P, the movement phase ends and the first turn strategy phase begins. In the strategy phase, within a time limit, the users 1P to 4P select any strategy (limited to strategies selectable from among occupying, strengthening, replacing, or waiting) and specify any square (limited to squares that can be specified according to the strategy) to be used to execute the strategy from among squares that have a predetermined positional relationship with the game media that the game media 1P to 4P moved to, such as a square where the game media 1P to 4P stopped or passed through, a priority square, and an occupied square (including an initially occupied square, the same applies below). During the time limit, for users whose strategy has not been decided, a message such as "thinking" may be displayed on the game play screen in association with the undecided user, so that the status of other users can be confirmed. In addition, during the time limit, for users who have selected a strategy, a message such as "A square to be occupied has been designated" or "A square to be strengthened has been designated" may be displayed on the gameplay screen in association with the user who has selected the strategy, allowing the user to check the strategies of other users (for example, that a certain square has been designated to be occupied).

Specifically, a user (for example, user 1P) can designate a square that meets either (a) or (b) below as a target square.
(a) During a movement phase within the same turn, a square on which game medium 1P stops after moving based on a movement amount, which is a square that is already associated with user 1P (a square occupied by user 1P), or a square that is not associated with any of users 2P to 4P other than user 1P (an empty square that is not yet occupied by any of users 2P to 4P).
(b) In a movement phase within the same turn, a square included in the range where the game medium 1P has moved based on the amount of movement, that is, a square that has been passed by the game medium 1P and is not associated with any of the other users 2P to 4P other than the user 1P, and that has been automatically assigned to the user 1P at the start of the game (priority square of user 1P). In other words, if it is a priority square, it can be designated simply by passing through it even if the game medium does not stop (game effect 1 of priority square). Note that, even if it is a priority square of user 1P, other users 2P to 4P can designate it if the game medium 2P to 4P stops.

A user (for example, user 1P) selects a strategy from among "Occupy,""Strengthen,""Replace," or "Wait" displayed in the strategy button display area 43. When user 1P selects a strategy and designates a square, he or she pays a cost equivalent to the number of coins required to execute the strategy. All users 1P to 4P are notified of the strategy that each user 1P to 4P adopted in the strategy phase by the end of the turn.
"Occupy" occupies an empty space that is not yet occupied by any user, including user 1P. In other words, by occupying it, user 1P can collect tolls from other users 2P to 4P.
"Strengthen" strengthens the occupation state of an occupied square that is already occupied by user 1P. In other words, by strengthening, user 1P can increase the toll that can be collected from other users 2P to 4P. Note that if other users 2P to 4P can specify the occupied square of user 1P, user 1P can have priority in strengthening even if there are overlapping specifications.
"Swap" allows you to swap a placed card character with another occupied square if there are multiple occupied squares.
For example, when there is no selectable strategy due to the position of the game medium 1P or the number of coins owned, among the above, the strategy may be adopted.
In this embodiment, a square is specified after a strategy is selected, but it may also be possible to select a strategy after specifying a square, in which case the strategy may be automatically determined by the specified square.

When a user (e.g. user '1P) selects "occupy" as a strategy and specifies a specifiable vacant square, a card character selected automatically or arbitrarily by user 1P from among the card characters included in user 1P's card deck is placed in that vacant square. This causes the vacant square to be occupied by that card character, and it becomes an occupied square for user 1P. On the other hand, if the square specified by user 1P is an occupied square for user 1P, that is, if user 1P re-specifies a square that he or she occupies, parameters such as the level of the card character placed in the occupied square (or the level of the square if a level is set for the square itself) are raised, and the number of coins obtained as tolls from other users is increased.

In this embodiment, since multiple users execute strategies at approximately the same time in the strategy phase of the same turn, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, in some cases, a square designated by a user (e.g., user 1P) may overlap with a square designated by another user (e.g., user 4P). In this case, in order to smoothly progress the game, a user who can occupy the square among multiple users, user 1P and user 4P, is determined based on the following condition (a) or (b). Note that the strategy of the user who cannot occupy the square is canceled, and the selected card character is returned to the card deck.
(a) If the square in question is a priority square that was automatically assigned to one of the users at the start of the game, the user corresponding to the priority square can occupy the square (game effect 2 of priority square).
(b) As shown in FIG. 5, a lottery is held to determine the user who will be associated with the square, and the user who wins the lottery can occupy the square. In this case, the lottery may have a uniform winning probability for each user, or may vary regularly or randomly. Specifically, if the square is a priority square that is automatically assigned to one of the users at the start of the game, the winning probability of the user corresponding to the priority square (e.g., 80%) is set higher than the winning probability of the other user (e.g., 20%). In other words, if it is a priority square, the user will have an advantage in the lottery (game effect 3 of the priority square). In addition, the winning probability is varied depending on the parameters of the card character selected to occupy the square. For example, the winning probability of the user who selected a strong (e.g., high parameter) card character as a result of comprehensively judging the compatibility between the competing card characters and parameters such as level, HP, and attack power is set higher (e.g., 60%) than the winning probability of the other user (e.g., 40%). In addition, the lottery screen shown in Figure 5 is also displayed on the game play screens of users (users 2P and 3P) other than the target users (users 1P and 4P), and users 2P and 3P can also view the situation of the lottery from the start to the end.

As shown in FIG. 6, the strategy phase ends when the game effects based on the executed strategies have been reflected for all game media 1P-4P corresponding to users 1P-4P. In the example shown in the figure, at the end of the first turn, for example, user 1P places card character Z selected from the card deck on a square to occupy that square (user 1P's occupied square increases by one), decreasing the number of coins equivalent to the cost of occupying that square and increasing the number of coins equivalent to the income each turn. Then, the rankings are swapped between users based on the number of coins they currently own. That is, the number of coins is tallied for each turn, and user 3P, who currently owns the most coins (660 coins), becomes provisionally first place.

After this, the movement phase and strategy phase are repeated for each turn (first turn, second turn, ...), and when the end condition is met, i.e., when all the set turns (20 turns in this embodiment) are completed, or when any user reaches the target amount (20,000 coins in this embodiment), the game ends at the end of that turn (strictly speaking, when the strategy phase ends). Then, at the end of the game, the number of coins acquired by each user is tallied as the game result, and the ranking (score) of users is determined in order of the number of coins acquired.
In addition, if a user goes bankrupt during the game because their coin holdings fall below zero, they may be returned to the starting square and their coin holdings may be reset, or they may be penalized by having their card character confiscated, or they may be forced to retire from the game.

Note that a turn may include at least two types of periods with different game characteristics (user operation contents), and in this embodiment, it includes two turns, a movement phase and a strategy phase. However, a turn may include phases other than the movement phase and the strategy phase (periods other than the first period and the second period). For example, it may include a battle phase in which card characters of users fight each other. A user who wins a battle in the battle phase may have game effects such as an increase in the number of squares that can be occupied, or a decrease in the occupation level of the defeated opponent user's square. In addition, when a user wins in the battle phase against a card character of another user that is placed in a square that is already occupied by another user, the winning user may have game effects such as being able to seize the square by placing the winning card character in the square instead.

<Configuration of an information processing device and a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configurations of an information processing device and a user terminal 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information processing device according to this embodiment is configured by a computer for distributing game data, more precisely a server computer (hereinafter referred to as server 10). The server 10 is an example of a computer, and as shown in Fig. 1, is communicatively connected to a plurality of user terminals 12 via a network 14, and together with the user terminals 12, constitutes an information processing system S. The network 14 is a communication line network consisting of, for example, the Internet or a mobile communication network, and may include a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, etc.

In the information processing system S of this embodiment, the game progresses as the server 10 and the user terminal 12 cooperate with each other due to the above configuration. Specifically, part of the game progress processing is performed on the server 10 side, and part of the graphic processing, etc. is executed on the user terminal 12 side. For example, the server 10 side executes a program including certain rules, logic, and algorithms. Meanwhile, the user terminal 12 side progresses the game according to the same rules, logic, and algorithms as the program executed on the server 10 while synchronizing with the server 10. That is, while playing the game, the user terminal 12 displays a game screen, which is a display screen of the game, on a display or the like, and also expands display data sent from the server 10 at any time, and displays images and text information, etc. indicated by the display data on the game screen.

The server 10 is an example of the "information processing device" of the present invention, and is configured as a computer that executes various information processing related to the progress of the game, such as generating, storing, and transmitting/receiving (including distribution and collection) data necessary for the progress of the game, specifically, as an SNS server or a server computer for cloud services. Server computers for cloud services include server computers for ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). The server 10 may be configured as a single computer, or may be configured as multiple computers distributed in parallel. In this embodiment, a series of information processing steps related to the progress of the game (excluding input and display of information) are executed by the server 10, so that the user terminal 12 only needs to input information to be handed over to the server 10 and display information distributed from the server 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server 10 has a processor 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a storage 24 as hardware devices, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus 25. In addition, an operating system (OS) and a dedicated program for processing information about the game are installed as software in the server 10. These programs correspond to the "program" of the present invention. When the processor 21 operates according to the above program, the server 10 functions as the information processing device of the present invention and executes a series of processes related to the progress of the game. The program of the present invention may be obtained by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or may be obtained (downloaded) via a network 14 such as the Internet or an intranet.

The processor 21 may be configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

The memory 22 may be composed of semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The communication interface 23 may be, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board. The standard of data communication by the communication interface 23 is not particularly limited, and examples include communication by wireless LAN, communication by 3G to 5G or later generation mobile communication systems, and communication based on LTE (Long Term Evolution).

The storage 24 may be capable of storing and accumulating various types of information, and may be configured with a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), or a universal serial bus memory (USB memory). The storage 24 may be built into the server 10, or may be attached to the server body in an external format. The storage 24 may also be configured with an external computer (e.g., a database server or online storage) that is communicatively connected to the server body. A distributed ledger technology such as a blockchain may be used as a technology for recording various types of data in order to avoid unauthorized data tampering.

The user terminal 12 is a client terminal that the user operates to play the game. The user terminal 12 may be, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a television receiver capable of inputting information, or a wearable terminal. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates four user terminals 12, in reality, there will of course be as many user terminals 12 as there are users.

An operating system (OS) and the aforementioned game application are installed on the user terminal 12. While the user is playing the game, the user terminal 12 receives data for game progress from the server 10, and displays images (video) indicated by the data on the display of the user terminal 12 or a display device such as a TV connected to the user terminal 12, and outputs audio from a speaker or the like. That is, in this embodiment, the user terminal 12 functions as a display unit and an audio output unit. For example, in addition to game play screens (including lottery screens) such as those shown in Figures 2 to 6, the user terminal 12 displays a matching screen that matches users who will compete in the game, a card deck organization screen that organizes card decks to be used in the game, a game result screen that displays results after the game ends, an input operation screen that performs other input operations, and a notification screen that notifies various information.

The user terminal 12 also accepts user operations performed during game play and transmits information corresponding to the operation content to the server 10. For example, the user performs operations on the user terminal 12 such as a deck organization operation for organizing a card deck to be used in the game, a card selection operation for selecting a card character to be used in the game, a movement instruction operation for determining the amount of movement of the game medium by spinning a roulette in the movement phase, a strategy selection operation for selecting a strategy in the strategy phase, and a square designation operation for designating a target square in the strategy phase, and transmits information based on these operations to the server 10. In addition to the above operations, the user appropriately performs operations on the user terminal 12 that are necessary to enjoy the services provided by the information processing system S of this embodiment.

<Functions of the information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention>
The configuration of the server 10, which is an information processing device according to this embodiment, will be described again from the functional aspect. As shown in FIG. 7, the server 10 has a storage unit 30, an information acquisition unit 31, a display control unit 32, and a game control unit 33. Of these, the storage unit 30 is realized by the memory 22 or the storage 24, and the other functional units are realized by the cooperation of the hardware devices constituting the server 10 and the programs installed in the server 10. When the server 10 is composed of multiple computers, the above functions may be distributed so that each of the multiple computers performs a different function. Each functional unit will be described in detail below.

(Memory unit)
The storage unit 30 stores various types of information necessary for playing the game. Specifically, the storage unit 30 stores user information, game information, square information, card character information, and various other types of information related to the game.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user information is stored for each user with various information linked to identification information (user ID) that identifies each user. For example, items of user information include the account name (user name) for the game, the game media used, the card characters owned, if a card deck is organized, the date and time of card deck organization and the card characters contained in the card deck, and if the game has been played in the past, a game play history indicating the play date and time and the performance (ranking and number of coins acquired, etc.). In addition, the user information may include information other than the above, such as the user's personal information such as contact information, information on users who are friends, and a billing history indicating the number of times and amount of charges made to the game.

As shown in FIG. 9, the game information is stored for each game with various information linked to identification information (game ID) that identifies each game, and is updated as the game progresses. For example, game information items include game ending conditions indicating the maximum number of turns that can be consumed in one game and the target number of coins to be acquired, etc., participating users (user IDs of participating users) participating in the game, the number of turns remaining or consumed at the current time, the current phase (movement phase or strategy phase), the status of each square in the game area at the current time (associated square ID), the performance of each user at the current time (each user's ranking, number of coins acquired, associated squares and income per turn, etc.), and, when the game is over, the game result indicating the game performance (each user's ranking and number of coins acquired). In addition, the game information may include information other than the above, such as information on gimmicks placed in the game area, coin fluctuation history for each user or each turn, and strategy history for each user or each turn.

As shown in FIG. 10, the square information is stored for each square with various information linked to identification information (square ID) that identifies each square that constitutes the game area, and is updated as the game progresses. For example, the square information items include the game (game ID) in which the square is located, if there is a user currently associated with the square, that user, i.e., the user occupying the square (user ID), if there is a card character currently associated with the square, that card character, i.e., the card character (character ID) located in the square, the level of the square, the number of coins required to occupy the square or to level up from the current square level to the next level, and if there is an associated user, the toll currently set for the square. In addition, the square information may include information other than the above, such as the change history of the associated user and card character, the level-up history, and the change history of the toll.

As shown in FIG. 11, various information is linked to identification information (character ID) that identifies the card character, and the card character information is stored for each card character. For example, items of card character information include the name (character name), parameters such as level, HP (hit points), and attack power, as well as special abilities that indicate game effects that occur when the card character is selected or placed on a square. In addition, information other than the above, such as the appearance design, attributes, acquisition method (acquisition conditions), acquisition period, usable period, and compensation, may also be included in the card character information.

(Information Acquisition Unit)
The information acquisition unit 31 acquires information (data) based on operations performed by the user on the user terminal 12 while playing the game, by communicating with the user terminal 12. The information acquired by the information acquisition unit 31 includes information based on the deck organization operation, card selection operation, movement instruction operation, strategy selection operation, square designation operation, etc., performed by the user. In addition to the above information, the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 31 also includes information based on various selections, designations, instructions, requests, commands, permission or refusal, registration, and other input operations performed by the user at each scene during the game.

(Display control unit)
The display control unit 32 controls the user terminal 12 to display information for game progress on a screen such as a display of the user terminal 12. Specifically, the display control unit 32 generates display data for displaying the results of information processing by the game control unit 33 (described later) and the like, and transmits the generated display data to the user terminal 12 via the network 14. For example, as a result of information processing by the game control unit 33 and the like, the display control unit 32 causes the user terminal 12 to display, in addition to game play screens (including lottery screens) as shown in Figures 2 to 6, a matching screen, a card deck organization screen, a game result screen, an input operation screen for performing other input operations, and a notification screen for notifying various information.

In addition, when displaying a screen for accepting the designation of squares as shown in FIG. 4 in the strategy phase, the display control unit 32 preferentially displays, among the squares that can be designated by the user, the initial occupied squares and occupied squares that are already associated with the user, and the priority squares that were automatically assigned to the user at the start of the game, i.e., squares that are likely to give the user an advantage even if the designations are duplicated and a lottery is held, in a manner that is distinguishable from other squares or that is conspicuous. At this time, the display control unit 32 may preferentially display, among the squares that can be designated by the user, squares that can be designated by not only the user but also other users, i.e., squares that are likely to be designated by overlapping users, in a manner that is distinguishable from other squares or that is conspicuous. Furthermore, the display control unit 32 may preferentially display, among the squares that can be designated by the user and other users, the occupied squares of the other users that are already associated with the other users, and the priority squares of the other users, i.e., squares that are likely to give the other users an advantage if the designations are duplicated and a lottery is held, in a manner that is distinguishable from other squares or that is conspicuous.

(Game control unit)
The game control unit 33 executes information processing necessary for the progress of the game, progresses the game based on various information acquired from users by the information acquisition unit 31, and generates or updates game information, square information, card character information, etc. For example, the game control unit 33 controls a game in which a game medium 1P operated by a user 1P (first user) and game media 2P to 4P operated by users 2P to 4P (second users) are moved within a common game area including a plurality of squares, and in which a turn consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a movement phase (first period) and a strategy phase (second period) occurring after the movement phase is repeated a plurality of times.

Before the game starts, the game control unit 33 organizes a card deck corresponding to the user based on the deck organization operation received from the user. Specifically, the game control unit 33 includes card characters selected by the user from among the card characters owned by the user in the card deck that the user will use in the game. In addition, before the game starts, the game control unit 33 matches users with each other and determines the users (users 1P to 4P) who will play the game. Note that if there is an insufficient number of players to play alone or to start the game, the game control unit 33 takes on the role of players in place of users 2P to 4P or the missing users.

At the start of the game, the game control unit 33 automatically assigns and places a predetermined number of card characters from among the card characters contained in the card deck brought into the game by each user to squares within the game area. For example, the game control unit 33 assigns five card characters to squares within the game area for each user, and the square to which one of the card characters is assigned is set as an initial occupied square that is pre-associated with the user, and the squares to which the remaining four card characters are assigned are set as priority squares that create an advantageous situation for the user when the user specifies a square during game play.

When the placement of the card characters is completed, the game control unit 33 first starts the movement phase of the first turn. In the movement phase, the game control unit 33 moves the game media corresponding to each user on the squares within the game area based on the respective movement amounts (number of squares) determined due to movement instruction operations such as spinning the roulette performed by each user. At this time, if the game media corresponding to a user stops on an occupied square associated with another user, the game control unit 33 causes the user to pay coins as a toll to the other user. Specifically, the game control unit 33 transfers coins equivalent to the toll set for that square from the user to the other user.

In addition, when a user uses a card character included in the user's card deck during the movement phase, the game control unit 33 sets a game effect based on the special ability of the card character. Then, when the game effect is associated with a square, the game control unit 33 generates the game effect (e.g., granting coins, confiscating coins, or forcibly returning the game medium to the starting position, etc.) for the user (including both the user and other users) who operates the game medium that has stopped on the square on which the game effect has been set. Note that the game control unit 33 also generates appropriate game effects corresponding to the square for the user who operates the game medium that has stopped on a square on which various other game effects have been set in advance.

In addition, in a strategy phase that occurs after a movement phase within the same turn (first turn), the game control unit 33 generates a game effect for each user based on a strategy selection operation that includes designating one or more squares from among the squares that each user can designate due to the movement of each game medium in the movement phase.
At this time, the game control unit 33 determines that a square that falls under (a) or (b) below is a square that can be designated by the user.
(a) During a movement phase within the same turn, a square on which the game medium operated by a user stops after moving based on a movement amount, which is a square that is already associated with the user (a square occupied by the user), or a square that is not associated with any user other than the user (an empty square that is not yet occupied by any user).
(b) During a movement phase within the same turn, a square included in the range moved by the game medium operated by the user based on the amount of movement, i.e., a square among the squares passed by the game medium that is not associated with any other user other than the user, and that is automatically assigned to the user at the start of the game (the user's priority square).

When the square specified by the user is vacant, the game control unit 33 places a card character selected automatically or by the user from among the card characters included in the card deck of the user, thereby associating the square with the card character, and then associates the square with the user. On the other hand, when the square specified by the user is already associated with the user, that is, when the game control unit 33 re-specifies a square that is already associated with the user, the game control unit 33 strengthens the association with the user. Specifically, the game control unit 33 increases the level of the square or the card character placed in the square, etc., to increase the number of coins obtained as tolls from other users. In addition, based on instructions from the user, the game control unit 33 may change a card character once placed in a square to another card character, or replace it with a card character placed in another square. When the user specifies a square, the game control unit 33 deducts from the user the amount of coins equivalent to the required coins set to occupy or level up the square, as a cost for executing a strategy.

In addition, when a square designated by a user based on a strategy selection operation overlaps with a square designated by another user other than the user based on a strategy selection operation during a strategy phase in the same turn, the game control unit 33 determines, among these multiple users, a user who will be associated with the square (a user who can occupy the square) based on the following condition (a) or (b).
(a) If the square is a priority square that was automatically assigned to one of the users at the start of the game, the user corresponding to the priority square is automatically associated with the priority square.
(b) A lottery is held to determine a user to be associated with the square, and the user who wins the lottery is associated with the square. In this case, the winning probability for each user may be uniform, or may be varied regularly or randomly. Specifically, if the square is a priority square that is automatically assigned to one of the users at the start of the game, the winning probability of the user corresponding to the priority square (e.g., 80%) is set higher than the winning probability of the other user (e.g., 20%). In addition, the winning probability is varied depending on the parameters of the card character selected to be associated with the square. For example, the winning probability of a user who selects a strong (high parameter) card character as a result of comprehensively judging the compatibility between the competing card characters and parameters such as level, HP, and attack power (e.g., 60%) is set higher than the winning probability of the other user (e.g., 40%).

The game control unit 33 repeats the movement phase and strategy phase for each turn (first turn, second turn, ...) and ends the game when all the set turns have been completed or when any user has reached the target amount. At the end of the game, the game control unit 33 tallies the number of coins acquired by each user as the game result and determines the user's ranking (score).

The above describes the configuration of the server 10 and the user terminal 12. Generally, the server 10 and the user terminal 12 have various functions other than those described above, but here we will only describe the characteristic functions that provide the desired effect in the information processing system S of the present invention, and will not illustrate or describe other known functions, etc.

<Information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the flow of information processing executed in the information processing system S configured as described above (hereinafter referred to as information processing flow) will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. The information processing flow employs the information processing method of the present invention, and is realized by using the information processing system S functioning as a computer system. In other words, each step in the information processing flow corresponds to a component of the information processing method of the present invention. Note that the information processing flow described below is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of steps may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(Information processing flow)
This information processing flow is information processing for executing the game that is the core of the present invention, including movement phase processing and strategy phase processing, and is information processing executed in the information processing system S. Note that, in the following, an example will be described in which four users 1P to 4P play a game.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, the processor 21 acquires information based on the deck organization operations performed by the user through communication with the user terminal 12 operated by the user, and organizes a card deck corresponding to the user based on the information (S101).
Then, processor 21 matches users together and determines which users will play the game (users 1P to 4P). At the start of the game, processor 21 assigns and places a predetermined number of card characters from among the card characters contained in the card decks brought into the game by each of users 1P to 4P onto squares within the game area, and sets an initial occupied square and a priority square for each of users 1P to 4P (S102).

Next, when the processor 21 completes the placement of the card characters and starts the game, it first executes a movement phase process (S103), and then executes a strategy phase process for the same turn (S104). Details of the movement phase process and the strategy phase process will be described later.

Furthermore, when the strategy phase processing is completed, the processor 21 determines the ranking of the users based on the current number of coins owned by each of the users 1P to 4P (S105), and determines whether the end conditions have been met, such as whether all the set turns have been completed or whether any of the users has reached the target amount (S106).

Then, if processor 21 determines that the above-mentioned termination condition has not yet been satisfied (S106: NO), that is, until the termination condition is satisfied, it repeats the movement phase processing (S103) and strategy phase processing (S104) for the next turn, and repeats determining the ranking among users based on the current number of coins owned by each of users 1P to 4P for each turn (S105).
On the other hand, if the processor 21 determines that the above-mentioned termination condition has been satisfied (S106: YES), it communicates with the user terminals 12 operated by all users 1P to 4P, causes the user terminals 12 to display a game result screen showing the game results that confirm the users' rankings (S107), and terminates the processing.
The above is an example of the information processing flow of the present invention.

(Movement Phase Processing)
Next, an example of the movement phase process will be described with reference to FIG.
The movement phase process is a process executed in the information processing system S, and is a process executed in step S103 of the above information processing flow. Specifically, it is a process of moving each of the game media 1P to 4P operated by the users 1P to 4P within a common game area including a plurality of squares, and generating a game effect based on the movement of the game media 1P to 4P.

As shown in Figure 13, the processor 21 acquires information based on the card selection operation performed by the users 1P to 4P through communication with the user terminals 12 operated by the users 1P to 4P, and when it determines that a card character has been used (S201: YES), it sets a game effect based on the special abilities, etc. of the card character selected based on the information (S202). Note that when the processor 21 determines that a card character has not been used by any of the users 1P to 4P (S201: NO), it proceeds directly to the next process.

Next, the processor 21 acquires information based on the movement instruction operations performed by the users 1P-4P through communication with the user terminals 12 operated by the users 1P-4P, and determines the movement amount of the game media 1P-4P operated by each of the users 1P-4P based on the information (S203), and moves each of the game media 1P-4P corresponding to each user 1P-4P on a square within the game area based on the set movement amount (S204).

If the processor 21 determines that the game medium 1P operated by a user (e.g., user 1P) stops on an occupied square associated with another user 2P-4P and thus satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the game medium 1P and the occupied square (S205: YES), the processor 21 transfers the amount of coins set for the square as a toll from the user 1P operating the moved game medium 1P to the other users 2P-4P who are associated with the moved square by occupying the square (S206). Note that if the processor 21 determines that the game medium 1P does not satisfy a predetermined positional relationship with the occupied square of the other users 2P-4P (S205: NO), the processor 21 proceeds directly to the next process.

If the processor 21 determines that the game medium 1P operated by the user (e.g., user 1P) satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with a square on which a game effect based on a card character placed by users 1P to 4P occurs or with a square on which another game effect occurs (S207: YES), the processor 21 causes the user 1P operating the game medium 1P to generate a game effect set on the square to which the game medium 1P has moved (S208). Note that if the processor 21 determines that the square on which the game medium 1P has stopped does not satisfy a predetermined positional relationship with the square on which the game effect occurs (S207: NO), the processor 21 proceeds directly to the next process.

Then, processor 21 repeats the processing of steps S205 to S208 for the remaining users until movement and a game effect based on that movement have been generated for all users (S209: NO), and when it determines that this has been completed for all users (S209: YES), ends the movement phase processing.
The above is an example of the movement phase process.

(Strategy Phase Processing)
Next, an example of the strategy phase process will be described with reference to FIG.
The strategy phase process is a process executed in the information processing system S, and is a process executed in step S104 of the above information processing flow. Specifically, it is a process executed in the same turn as the movement phase process executed immediately before, and is a process that generates a game effect based on a strategy selected for a square having a predetermined positional relationship with the game media 1P to 4P that have been moved by the movement phase.
In the following, the strategies that the user can select are "Occupy" or "Strengthen", and "Replace" and "Wait" are excluded. In addition, in the case where the overlapping square is the priority square, a lottery is held.

As shown in FIG. 14, the processor 21 acquires information based on the strategy selection operation performed by the users 1P to 4P through communication with the user terminals 12 operated by the users 1P to 4P, and accepts designation of a square from among designatable squares from the user (e.g., user 1P) (S301). If it determines that the square that is the target of the strategy is a square that is already associated with the user 1P, i.e., that the user has re-designated an occupied square that is already occupied by the user 1P (S302), it strengthens the association between the user 1P and the designated occupied square (S303). Note that if the processor 21 determines that the square that is the target of the strategy is a square that is not associated with the user 1P, i.e., that it is not an occupied square of the user 1P (S302: NO), it proceeds directly to the next process.

Next, if processor 21 determines that a square designated by a user (e.g., user 1P) overlaps with a square designated by another user other than user 1P (users 2P to 4P) (S304: YES), it then determines whether there is a prioritized user for the overlapping square, such as a user who corresponds to a prioritized square or a user whose selected card character has high parameters, and if it determines that there is a prioritized user (S305: YES), it sets the winning probability of the prioritized user in the lottery to be high (S306). Note that if processor 21 determines that there is no prioritized user (S305: NO), it proceeds to the next process with the winning probability set to the initial setting (equal winning probability).

Then, processor 21 conducts a lottery to select one user based on the set winning probability (S307), determines the user who is won by the lottery (for example, user 1P) as the user to be associated with the designated square, i.e., the user who can occupy the designated square (S308), and associates user 1P with the designated square, making it the occupied square of user 1P (S309).
On the other hand, if processor 21 determines that the square designated by a user (e.g., user 1P) does not overlap with squares designated by other users (users 2P to 4P) other than user 1P (S304: NO), it associates the designated square with user 1P as it is, and makes it the occupied square of user 1P (S309).

Then, processor 21 repeats the processing of steps S301 to S309 for the remaining users until a strategy-based game effect has been generated for all users (S310: NO), and when it determines that this has been completed for all users (S310: YES), ends the strategy phase processing.
The above is an example of the strategy phase process.

<Other embodiments>
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are merely examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved from the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

For example, the screen examples shown in the drawings referenced in the description of the above embodiment are merely examples, and the screen configuration examples, the content of the information displayed, and the GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc., can be freely designed according to the system design specifications and user preferences, etc., and can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the manner in which an image is displayed on the user terminal 12 includes a manner in which the image is displayed on a display device (display) provided on the terminal itself, and a manner in which the image is displayed on a display device connected to the terminal in a wired or wireless manner. Similarly, the manner in which sound or music is emitted from the user terminal 12 includes a manner in which the sound or music is emitted from a player (speaker) provided on the terminal itself, and a manner in which the sound or music is emitted from an audio device connected to the terminal in a wired or wireless manner. Note that the display device or audio device connected to the user terminal 12 may include a head mounted display (HMD) such as VR goggles, in addition to a typical stationary display or speaker.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the server 10 functions as the information processing device of the present invention, but this is not limited to the above, and all or part of the functions of the server 10 may be provided in the user terminal 12. In that case, the information processing device of the present invention is configured by the user terminal 12, or by the cooperation between the server 10 and the user terminal 12. For example, all or part of the functions of the game control unit 33 may be provided in the user terminal 12.

In the above embodiment, the user information, game information, square information, card character information, etc. are stored in the server 10, but a separate database server (not shown) may be provided and the information may be stored all together in the database server, or may be stored on the user terminal 12. In this case, the server 10, together with the database server or the user terminal 12, etc., constitutes the information processing device of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, as an example of a game, a sugoroku game that incorporates elements of a territory capture game has been described as a competitive game in which users compete against other users to obtain the most game value. However, the present invention can be applied to other games as long as the game associates users with elemental areas such as squares. For example, the present invention may be a game that includes elements of word games, fighting games, sports games, shooting games, racing games, puzzle games, card games, board games, role-playing games, or simulation games. The game may be an individual or team game. The game may be one in which humans compete against each other as users, or one in which a human competes against a computer (e.g., an AI or a robot).

In the above embodiment, the user can enjoy all the functions free of charge in principle, but some functions may be limited and the user may use the limited functions by paying a game usage fee to the game provider or the like (hereinafter, "charging"). In other words, special conditions that give an advantage in playing the game may be set for paying users who have paid the game usage fee using cash, electronic money, a credit card, a prepaid card, or the like in response to a charging request. For example, paying users may be able to obtain card characters that are difficult to obtain depending on the amount of their payment, or they may be able to play special game areas that are not normally playable. Note that this usage fee may be a pay-as-you-go system, or may be a subscription-like system in which a one-time payment has an effect on the user for a certain period of time (e.g., one month or one year).

<Summary>
[General-purpose Project]
One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and interesting game.

[Supplementary Note 1] One of the objectives of the present invention is to smoothly progress in a game that associates users with element areas, even if the element areas specified by a first user and a second user overlap.
[Appendix 1]
An information processing device comprising: a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game having a game control unit that controls the game in which turns consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period are repeated; the game control unit moves each of the first game medium and the second game medium in the first period based on an amount of movement determined for each of the first user and the second user; and, when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the first game medium moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the second game medium moved during the first period, the information processing device associates the first element area or the second element area with a user determined based on a predetermined condition, between the first user and the second user.
According to the information processing device described above, when a first element area based on a designation received from a first user overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from a second user based on element areas in ranges in which game media operated by each of a first user and a second user have moved during the same period, an association is made between the first element area or the second element area and a user determined based on a predetermined condition out of the first user and the second user. This allows the game to proceed smoothly in a game in which users are associated with element areas, even if the element areas designated by the first user and the second user overlap.

Issues regarding [Appendix 2] One of the objectives of the present invention is to clarify the game effect that occurs when an element area is associated with a user in a game in which a user is associated with an element area, and to improve the entertainment value of the game.
[Appendix 2]
An information processing device as described in Appendix 1, wherein the game control unit causes the second user to pay game value to the first user when the second game medium satisfies a specified positional relationship with respect to a first element area associated with the first user.
According to the information processing device, when the second game medium moves to satisfy a predetermined positional relationship, such as stopping in the first element area associated with the first user, the second user is made to pay game value to the first user. That is, the game value is transferred from the second user who satisfies the predetermined positional relationship with the first element area to the first user. This makes it possible to clarify the game effect that occurs when the element area is associated with the user in a game in which the user is associated with an element area, and to improve the entertainment value of the game.

[Appendix 3] Issues One of the objectives of the present invention is to enrich the variety of game effects that arise when elemental areas are associated with users in a game in which the user is associated with an elemental area, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.
[Appendix 3]
The information processing device described in Appendix 2, wherein the game control unit increases the amount of game value paid by the second user to the first user when the first element area associated with the first user is re-specified by the first user and the second game medium satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first element area.
According to the information processing device, when the first user re-designates the first element area associated with the first user, the second user increases the amount of game value paid to the first user. That is, the second user who satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the re-designated first element area transfers more game value to the first user. This enriches the variety of game effects that occur when the element area is associated with the user in a game in which the user and the element area are associated, and improves the entertainment value of the game.

Issues regarding [Appendix 4] One of the objectives of the present invention is to clarify the priority of users who associate element areas with element areas in a game in which users are associated with element areas, even if the element areas designated by a first user and a second user overlap, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 4]
The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein when the first element area and the second element area overlap and the first element area is an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game, the game control unit determines a user to be associated with the first element area or the second element area, giving priority to the first user over the second user.
According to the information processing device described above, when the first element region is an element region that is automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game, the first user is given priority over the second user to determine the user to be associated with the first element region or the second element region. As a result, in a game in which users are associated with element regions, even if the element regions designated by the first user and the second user overlap, the priority order of users to be associated with element regions becomes clear, and the game can be progressed smoothly.

[Supplementary Note 5] Issues One of the objectives of the present invention is to, in a game in which users are associated with element areas, even if the element areas specified by a first user and a second user overlap, associate the users with element areas while ensuring fairness, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 5]
The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein when the first element area and the second element area overlap, the game control unit determines by lottery which of the first user and the second user will be associated with the first element area or the second element area.
According to the information processing device, the user who is to be associated with the first element region or the second element region is determined by lottery from among the first user and the second user. As a result, in a game in which users and element regions are associated with each other, even if the element regions designated by the first user and the second user overlap, the users and element regions can be associated with each other while ensuring fairness, and the game can be progressed smoothly.

Issues regarding [Appendix 6] One of the objectives of the present invention is to, in a game in which users are associated with element areas, even if the element areas specified by a first user and a second user overlap, associate the users with the element areas while ensuring fairness and taking into account game play, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 6]
An information processing device as described in Appendix 5, wherein the game control unit increases the first user's probability of winning in a lottery compared to the second user when the first element area is an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game.
According to the information processing device, when the first element area is an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game, the winning probability of the first user in the lottery is made higher than that of the second user. As a result, even if the element areas designated by the first user and the second user overlap in a game that associates users with element areas, it is possible to ensure fairness while adding more game-like qualities, and to smoothly progress the game.

Problems with [Supplementary Note 7] One of the objectives of the present invention is to limit the element areas that a first user can specify in a game that associates users with element areas, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 7]
An information processing device as described in Appendix 1, wherein the game control unit enables an element area that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first game medium after the first game medium is moved during a first period to be designated as a first element area by the first user during a second period.
According to the information processing device, an element area that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship during a first period, for example, when the first game medium moves and then stops, can be designated as a first element area by the first user during a second period that occurs after the first period. In other words, the first user cannot designate as the first element area any element area other than the element area in which the first game medium satisfies the predetermined positional relationship. This limits the element areas that the first user can designate in a game that associates users with element areas, allowing the game to proceed smoothly.

Problems with [Supplementary Note 8] One of the objectives of the present invention is to limit the element areas that a first user can specify in a game that associates users with element areas, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 8]
The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the game control unit, during a first period, if an element area that satisfies a specified positional relationship with the first game medium after the first game medium is moved is other than a second element area associated with the second user, can be designated as a first element area for the first user during a second period.
According to the information processing device, in a first period, if an element area that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship by, for example, stopping the first game medium after moving the first game medium is other than the second element area associated with the second user, the first user can specify the element area as the first element area in a second period that occurs after the first period. In other words, if the element area is the second element area associated with the second user, the first user cannot specify the element area as the first element area. This limits the element areas that the first user can specify in a game in which users are associated with element areas, allowing the game to proceed smoothly.

Problems with [Supplementary Note 9] One of the objectives of the present invention is to limit the element areas that a first user can specify in a game that associates users with element areas, thereby allowing the game to progress smoothly.
[Appendix 9]
The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the game control unit is capable of designating, during a first period, an element area that was automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game, among one or more element areas based on the range to which the first game medium has moved during the first period, as a first element area for the first user during a second period.
According to the information processing device, in a first period, an element area that is automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game among one or more element areas based on the range to which the first game medium has moved during the first period can be designated as a first element area for the first user in a second period that occurs after the first period. In other words, the first user cannot designate as the first element area any element area other than the element area that is automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game. This limits the element areas that the first user can designate in a game that associates users with element areas, allowing the game to proceed smoothly.

Problems for [Supplementary Note 10] One of the objects of the present invention is to improve the convenience for a user when specifying an elemental area in a game that associates a user with an elemental area, and to make it easier to plan a game strategy.
[Appendix 10]
An information processing device as described in Appendix 1, which has a display control unit that displays a screen for accepting designation of a first element area to a first user, and the display control unit displays on the screen a first element area associated with the first user or an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game in a distinguishable manner from other element areas.
According to the information processing device, the first element region associated with the first user or the element region automatically assigned to the first user at the start of the game is displayed in a distinguishable manner from other element regions on a screen that accepts designation of a first element region for the first user, thereby improving convenience when designating an element region for a user in a game in which a user is associated with an element region, and making it easier to plan a game strategy.

Problems to be Solved by [Supplementary Note 11] One of the objects of the present invention is to improve the convenience for a user when specifying an elemental area in a game in which the user is associated with an elemental area, and to make it easier to plan a game strategy.
[Appendix 11]
An information processing device as described in Appendix 1, which has a display control unit that displays a screen that accepts designation of a first element area to a first user, and the display control unit displays element areas that can be designated by a second user in an identifiable manner among the element areas that can be designated by the first user.
According to the information processing device, on a screen that accepts designation of a first element region for a first user, among the element regions that can be designated by the first user, element regions that can also be designated by a second user are displayed in an identifiable manner. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of designating an element region for a user in a game that associates users with element regions, and to make it easier to plan a game strategy.

Problems to be Solved by [Supplementary Note 12] One of the objects of the present invention is to improve the convenience for a user when specifying an elemental area in a game in which the user is associated with an elemental area, and to make it easier to plan a game strategy.
[Appendix 12]
The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit displays a second element region that is a second user designable element region and associated with the second user in an identifiable manner.
According to the information processing device, a second element region that is an element region that can be specified by a second user and is associated with the second user is identifiable on a screen that accepts specification of a first element region for a first user. This improves convenience when specifying an element region for a user in a game that associates users with element regions, making it easier to plan a game strategy.

Issues regarding [Appendix 13] One of the objectives of the present invention is to allow a game in which users are associated with element areas to progress smoothly even if the element areas specified by a first user and a second user overlap.
[Appendix 13]
An information processing method in which a processor controls a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game repeating turns consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period, the processor moves each of the first game medium and the second game medium based on an amount of movement determined for each of the first user and the second user in the first period, and when, in a second period occurring within the same turn as the first period, a first element area based on a designation received from the first user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the first game medium moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the second game medium moved during the first period, the processor associates the first element area or the second element area with a user, which is determined based on predetermined conditions, of the first user and the second user.
According to the above information processing method, when a first element area based on a designation received from a first user overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from a second user based on element areas of ranges moved by game media operated by each of a first user and a second user during the same period, an association is made between the first element area or the second element area and a user determined based on a predetermined condition out of the first user and the second user. This allows the game to proceed smoothly even if the element areas designated by the first user and the second user overlap in a game in which users are associated with element areas.

Issues for [Appendix 14] One of the objectives of the present invention is to smoothly progress in a game that associates users with element areas, even if the element areas specified by a first user and a second user overlap.
[Appendix 14]
A program that causes a processor to control a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game repeating turns consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period, causes the processor to move each of the first game medium and the second game medium based on an amount of movement determined for each of the first user and the second user in the first period, and when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the first game medium moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user among one or more element areas based on a range into which the second game medium moved during the first period, causes the processor to associate the first element area or the second element area with a user determined based on a predetermined condition, between the first user and the second user.
According to the above program, when a first element area based on a designation received from a first user overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from a second user based on element areas of ranges moved by game media operated by each of a first user and a second user during the same period, an association is made between the first element area or the second element area and a user determined based on a predetermined condition out of the first user and the second user. This allows the game to proceed smoothly even if the element areas designated by the first user and the second user overlap in a game in which users are associated with element areas.

Reference Signs List 10 Server 12 User terminal 14 Network 21 Processor 22 Memory 23 Communication interface 24 Storage 25 Bus 30 Storage unit 31 Information acquisition unit 32 Display control unit 33 Game control unit 41 User display area 42 Card deck display area 43 Strategy button display area S Information processing system

Claims (14)

A game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game having a game control unit that controls the game in which turns each consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period are repeated;
The game control unit:
during the first period, moving each of the first game medium and the second game medium based on a movement amount determined for each of the first user and the second user;
during the second period occurring within the same turn as the first period, when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user out of one or more element areas based on a range in which the first game medium has moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user out of one or more element areas based on a range in which the second game medium has moved during the first period, an association is made between the first user and the second user, the first element area or the second element area being determined based on a predetermined condition;
Information processing device. the game control unit causes the second user to pay a game value to the first user when the second game medium satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first element area associated with the first user;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the game control unit, when the first element area associated with the first user is re-designated by the first user, increases an amount of the game value paid by the second user to the first user when the second game medium satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first element area;
The information processing device according to claim 2 . the game control unit, when the first element area and the second element area overlap and the first element area is an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game, determines a user to be associated with the first element area or the second element area by giving the first user a higher priority than the second user;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . When the first element area and the second element area overlap, the game control unit determines, by lottery, one of the first user and the second user to be associated with the first element area or the second element area.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the game control unit, when the first element area is an element area automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game, sets a winning probability of the first user in the lottery higher than that of the second user;
The information processing device according to claim 5 . The game control unit:
During the first period, an element area that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first game medium after the first game medium is moved is
During the second period, the first user is allowed to specify the first element region.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The game control unit:
In the first period, when an element area that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the first game medium after the first game medium is moved is other than the second element area associated with the second user,
During the second period, the first user is allowed to specify the first element region.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The game control unit:
During a first period, an element area that is automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game among one or more element areas based on a range to which the first game medium has moved during the first period,
During the second period, the first user is allowed to specify the first element region.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . a display control unit that causes the first user to display a screen that accepts designation of the first element region;
the display control unit displays, on the screen, the first element region associated with the first user or an element region automatically assigned to the first user at the start of a game in a distinguishable manner from other element regions;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . a display control unit that causes the first user to display a screen that accepts designation of the first element region;
the display control unit displays an element region that can be specified by the second user among element regions that can be specified by the first user in a identifiable manner;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The display control unit is
a second element region that is associated with the second user and that is specifiable by the second user is displayed in an identifiable manner;
The information processing device according to claim 11. a processor controls a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game repeating turns each having a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period;
a processor, during the first period, moving each of the first game medium and the second game medium based on a moving amount determined for each of the first user and the second user;
when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user out of one or more element areas based on a range to which the first game medium has moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user out of one or more element areas based on a range to which the second game medium has moved during the first period, during the second period, the processor associates the first element area or the second element area with a user determined based on a predetermined condition between the first user and the second user;
Information processing methods. causing a processor to control a game in which a first game medium operated by a first user and a second game medium operated by a second user are moved within a common game area including a plurality of element areas, the game repeating turns each consisting of a plurality of periods including at least a first period and a second period occurring after the first period;
causing a processor to move each of the first game medium and the second game medium based on a movement amount determined for each of the first user and the second user during the first period;
when a first element area based on a designation received from the first user out of one or more element areas based on a range to which the first game medium has moved during the first period overlaps with a second element area based on a designation received from the second user out of one or more element areas based on a range to which the second game medium has moved during the first period, during the second period occurring within the same turn as the first period, the processor causes a user, which is determined based on a predetermined condition, between the first user and the second user to be associated with the first element area or the second element area;
program.