Information display method and information display system

Abstract

A virtual space including a model in place of each user is displayed on a terminal of a user. About an item in which the user is interested, the level of interest is previously registered so that the figure of a model of the other user can vary depending on the level of the interest. For example, about a certain interesting item, if the other user is also interested in that item, the user's terminal screen provides a display of the other user's model differently from the ordinary figure of the model. If not interested, then it is displayed as the ordinary model. Thus, the user can readily find out a user he/she wants to meet.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A game method for communicating with at least one virtual character existent on a network server via a communication network, wherein 
 the virtual character comprises at least one or more parameters corresponding to at least one or more players being in communication with the virtual character,    at least one of the parameters is varied through the communication between the player and the virtual character, and a game is advanced by the issue of a response notification according to the parameter variation to the player, and    when the player has not communicated with the virtual character for a predetermined period, the virtual character issues to the player a notification to promote communication.    
   
   
       17 . The game method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the plurality of players being in communication with the virtual character issue notifications of predetermined communication information sets to the virtual character, and    the virtual character selects one or more communication information sets from among the plurality of communication information sets based on a predetermined condition, so as to vary the parameter corresponding to each player having issued the notification of the selected communication information set, and issues the response notification according to the parameter variation to the player having issued the notification of the selected communication information set.    
   
   
       18 . The game method according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein, based on the notifications of the selected communication information sets issued by the plurality of players, the schedule of the virtual character for communicating with the plurality of players is automatically generated.    
   
   
       19 . The game method according to  claim 18 , 
 wherein, when the virtual character is in communication with one of the plurality of players based on the schedule, in case a second player different from the player desires to communicate with the virtual character, a response notification to the effect that the communication with the virtual character is not possible is issued.    
   
   
       20 . The game method according to  claim 19 , 
 wherein the response to the effect that the communication is not possible includes a response content which varies according to at least one of the parameter, the proper information of the virtual character and a game progress state.    
   
   
       21 . The game method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein, when the player has not communicated with the virtual character for a predetermined period, the parameter of the virtual character corresponding to the player is deleted.    
   
   
       22 . The game method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the virtual character issues to the player a notification to provide information different from the game progress.    
   
   
       23 . The game method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the virtual character is generated by the player.    
   
   
       24 . The game method according to claim,  16   wherein the virtual character is provided by the server.    
   
   
       25 . The game method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the response is performed through an electronic mail.