Game server, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, game control method, and game system

Abstract

A game server employs a notification system associated with purchase of an item in a game and is capable of promoting the purchase of the item, Specifically, a game server may include a notifier, when receiving a request for provision of a first item from a communication terminal, for sending a notification that the first item is provided to the communication terminal to a communication terminal; and an item provider, when sending the notification from the notifier to the communication terminal that the first item is provided, for providing a second item, in addition to the first item, to at least one of the communication terminal and the communication terminal that sends the request for provision of the first item.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A game server for transmitting a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game server over a network, the game server comprising:
 a processor;   a storage unit, executed by the processor, that stores first user ID information and notification information;   an item provider that, when receiving a request for provision of a first item usable in the game from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to first user ID information, provides the first item to the first communication terminal; and   a notifier that, when providing the first item to the first communication terminal, sends a notification to a second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal corresponding to second user ID information linked to the first user ID information,   wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the second communication terminal based on the notification, the notifier sends a notification to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal, the third communication terminal corresponding to third user ID information linked to the second user ID information,   wherein the first user ID information identifies a first user, the second user ID information identifies a second user different from the first user, and the third user ID information identifies a third user different from the first user and the second user, and   wherein the item provider provides a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, to the second communication terminal that is mentioned in the notification sent to the third communication terminal by the notifier.   
     
     
       2. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the third communication terminal based on the notification, the item provider provides the second item usable in the game to at least one of (i) the first communication terminal and (ii) the third communication terminal that sends a request for provision of the first item based on the notification. 
     
     
       3. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein a user corresponding to the second communication terminal is a friend user of a user corresponding to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       4. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       5. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein the first item and the second item restore an energy, an attack cost and a defense cost. 
     
     
       6. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein the notifier sends, to additional communication terminals of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of the additional user ID information, the notification that the first item is provided, and
 wherein the item provider, when receiving additional requests for the first item from a predetermined number of the additional communication terminals, further provides the second item to the first communication terminal.   
     
     
       7. The game server according to  claim 1 , wherein when the notifier sends the notification to a predetermined number of the plurality of communication terminals, the item provider provides the second item to the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of user ID information associated with the notification. 
     
     
       8. The game server according to  claim 1 , further comprising a selection panel generator that generates a selection panel that allows for selection of among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information, a destination of the notification that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing an order to be executed by a computer for functioning as a game server for transmitting a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game server over a network, wherein the order includes a program for executing:
 an item providing step of, when receiving a request for provision of a first item usable in the game from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to first user ID information, providing the first item to the first communication terminal; and   a notification step of, when providing the first item to the first communication terminal, sending a notification to a second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal corresponding to second user ID information linked to the first user ID information,   wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the second communication terminal based on the notification, a notification is sent to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal, the third communication terminal corresponding to third user ID information linked to the second user ID information,   wherein the first user ID information identifies a first user, the second user ID information identifies a second user different from the first user, and the third user ID information identifies a third user different from the first user and the second user, and   wherein at the item providing step, a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, is provided to the second communication terminal that is mentioned in the notification sent to the third communication terminal by the notifier.   
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the third communication terminal based on the notification, the item provider provides the second item usable in the game to at least one of (i) the first communication terminal and (ii) the third communication terminal that sends a request for provision of the first item based on the notification. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein a user corresponding to the second communication terminal is a friend user of a user corresponding to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the first item and the second item restore an energy, an attack cost and a defense cost. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the notification that the first item is provided is sent to additional communication terminals of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of the additional user ID information, and
 when receiving additional requests for the first item from a predetermined number of the additional communication terminals, the second item is provided to the first communication terminal.   
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein when the notification is sent to a predetermined number of the plurality of communication terminals, the second item is provided to the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of user ID information associated with the notification. 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , further comprising generating a selection panel that allows for selection of, among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information, a destination of the notification that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       17. A game control method for providing a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game over a network, the game control method comprising:
 an item providing step of, when receiving a request for provision of a first item usable in the game from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to first user ID information, providing the first item to the first communication terminal; and   a notification step of, when providing the first item to the first communication terminal, sending a notification to a second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal corresponding to second user ID information linked to the first user ID information,   wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the second communication terminal based on the notification, a notification is sent to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal, the third communication terminal corresponding to third user ID information linked to the second user ID information,   wherein the first user ID information identifies a first user, the second user ID information identifies a second user different from the first user, and the third user ID information identifies a third user different from the first user and the second user, and   wherein at the item providing step, a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, is provided to the second communication terminal that is mentioned in the notification sent to the third communication terminal by the notifier.   
     
     
       18. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein when receiving a request for provision of the first item from the third communication terminal based on the notification, the item provider provides the second item usable in the game to at least one of (i) the first communication terminal and (ii) the third communication terminal that sends a request for provision of the first item based on the notification. 
     
     
       19. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein a user corresponding to the second communication terminal is a friend user of a user corresponding to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       20. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       21. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first item and the second item restore an energy, an attack cost and a defense cost. 
     
     
       22. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein the notification that the first item is provided is sent to additional communication terminals of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of the additional user ID information, and
 when receiving additional requests for the first item from a predetermined number of the additional communication terminals, the second item is provided to the first communication terminal.   
     
     
       23. The game control method according to  claim 17 , wherein when the notification is sent to a predetermined number of the plurality of communication terminals, the second item is provided to the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to a plurality of user ID information associated with the notification. 
     
     
       24. The game control method according to  claim 17 , further comprising generating a selection panel that allows for selection of, among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information, a destination of the notification that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal. 
     
     
       25. A game server transmitting a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game server over a network in order to implement an affiliate system in the game, the game server comprising:
 a network interface configured to communicate with the plurality of communication terminals over the network;   a memory storing user identification (ID) information corresponding to the plurality of communication terminals, and notification information including predetermined notification destinations and a notification destination history of each of the plurality of communication terminals; and   a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the network interface, the processor being programmed to:
 receive a first request from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals to provide a first item usable in the game to the first communication terminal, the first communication terminal corresponding to first user ID information, the first user ID information identifying a first user; 
 generate a graphical user interface including a selection panel configured to allow selection of a destination of each one of a first notification and a second notification among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information and second user ID information; 
 transmit instructions to at least one of the first communication terminal and a second communication terminal to display the generated graphical user interface including the selection panel; 
 receive the selection of the destination of the first notification; 
 in response to receiving the first request and the selection of the destination of the first notification from the first communication terminal, determine the second user ID information as the destination of the first notification, which is linked to the first user ID information in the stored user ID information based on the stored notification information, the second user ID information identifying a second user; 
 transmit the first item to the first communication terminal; 
 in response to transmitting the first item to the first communication terminal, transmit the first notification to the second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined second user ID information, the first notification indicating that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal; 
 receive a second request from the second communication terminal to provide the first item to the second communication terminal, the second request from the second communication terminal having been sent in response to the second communication terminal receiving the first notification; 
 receive the selection of the destination of the second notification from the second communication terminal; 
 in response to receiving the second request and the selection of the destination of the second notification from the second communication terminal, determine third user ID information as the destination of the second notification, which is linked to the second user ID information in the stored user ID information based on the stored notification information, the third user ID information identifying a third user; 
 transmit the second notification to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined third user ID information, the second notification indicating that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal; and 
 transmit a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, such that the first and second communication terminals are automatically rewarded with the second item based on the second notification to the third communication terminal. 
   
     
     
       26. The game server according to claim 25, wherein the processor is programmed to:
 in response to receiving a third request to provide the first item from the third communication terminal, transmit a third item usable in the game to at least one of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, in addition to transmitting the first item to the third communication terminal.   
     
     
       27. The game server according to claim 25, wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       28. The game server according to claim 25, wherein the processor is programmed to:
 transmit the first notification to at least one additional destination corresponding to an additional communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals; and   in response to receiving a predetermined number of requests for the first item from the plurality of communication terminals, transmit the second item to the first communication terminal again.   
     
     
       29. The game server according to claim 25, wherein the second item is transmitted to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal contemporaneously with transmitting the second notification to the third communication terminal. 
     
     
       30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions to be executed by a computer for functioning as a game server that transmits a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game server over a network in order to implement an affiliate system in the game, the instructions including a program causing the computer to execute:
 a first receiving step of receiving a first request from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals to provide a first item usable in the game to the first communication terminal, the first communication terminal corresponding to first user identification (ID) information, the first user ID information identifying a first user;   a destination setting step of:
 generating a graphical user interface including a selection panel configured to allow selection of a destination of each one of a first notification and a second notification among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information and second user ID information, 
 transmitting instructions to at least one of the first communication terminal and a second communication terminal to display the generated graphical user interface including the selection panel, and 
 receiving the selection of the destination of the first notification; 
   a first item providing step of, in response to receiving the first request and the selection of the destination of the first notification from the first communication terminal, (i) determining the second user ID information as the destination of the first notification, which is linked to the first user ID information based on notification information, the notification information including predetermined notification destinations and a notification destination history of each of the plurality of communication terminals, and (ii) transmitting the first item to the first communication terminal, the second user ID information identifying a second user;   a notification step of, in response to transmitting the first item to the first communication terminal, transmitting the first notification to the second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined second user ID information, the first notification indicating that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal;   a second receiving step of (1) receiving a second request from the second communication terminal to provide the first item to the second communication terminal, the second request from the second communication terminal having been sent in response to the second communication terminal receiving the first notification, and (2) receiving the selection of the destination of the second notification from the second communication terminal;   a determining step of, in response to receiving the second request and the selection of the destination of the second notification from the second communication terminal, determining third user ID information as the destination of the second notification, which is linked to the second user ID information based on the notification information;   a transmitting step of transmitting the second notification to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined third user ID information, the second notification indicating that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal, the third user ID information identifying a third user; and   a second item providing step of transmitting a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, such that the first and second communication terminals are automatically rewarded with the second item based on the second notification to the third communication terminal.   
     
     
       31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein:
 in the second item providing step, in response to receiving a third request to provide the first item from the third communication terminal, transmit a third item usable in the game to at least one of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, in addition to transmitting the first item to the third communication terminal.   
     
     
       32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 31, wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 31, wherein in the notification step:
 transmit the first notification to at least one additional destination corresponding to an additional communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals; and   in response to receiving a predetermined number of requests for the first item from the plurality of communication terminals, transmit the second item to the first communication terminal again.   
     
     
       34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein, in the second item providing step, the second item is transmitted to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal contemporaneously with transmitting the second notification to the third communication terminal. 
     
     
       35. A game control method providing a plurality of items usable in a game to a plurality of communication terminals connected to the game over a network in order to implement an affiliate system in the game, the game control method comprising:
 a first receiving step of receiving a first request from a first communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals to provide a first item usable in the game to the first communication terminal, the first communication terminal corresponding to first user identification (ID) information, the first user ID information identifying a first user;   a destination setting step of:
 generating a graphical user interface including a selection panel configured to allow selection of a destination of each one of a first notification and a second notification among a plurality of different user ID information linked to the first user ID information and second user ID information, 
 transmitting instructions to at least one of the first communication terminal and a second communication terminal to display the generated graphical user interface including the selection panel, and 
 receiving the selection of the destination of the first notification; 
   a first item providing step of, in response to receiving the first request and the selection of the destination of the first notification from the first communication terminal, (i) determining the second user ID information as the destination of the first notification, which is linked to the first user ID information based on notification information, the notification information including predetermined notification destinations and a notification destination history of each of the plurality of communication terminals, and (ii) transmitting the first item to the first communication terminal, the second user ID information identifying a second user;   a notification step of, in response to transmitting the first item to the first communication terminal, transmitting the first notification to the second communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined second user ID information, the first notification indicating that the first item is provided to the first communication terminal;   a second receiving step of (1) receiving a second request from the second communication terminal to provide the first item to the second communication terminal, the second request from the second communication terminal having been sent in response to the second communication terminal receiving the first notification, and (2) receiving the selection of the destination of a second notification from the second communication terminal;   a determining step of, in response to receiving the second request and the selection of the destination of the second notification from the second communication terminal, determining third user ID information as the destination of the second notification, which is linked to the second user ID information based on the notification information;   a transmitting step of transmitting the second notification to a third communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals corresponding to the determined third user ID information, the second notification indicating that the first item is provided to the second communication terminal, the third user ID information identifying a third user; and   a second item providing step of transmitting a second item usable in the game, in addition to the first item, to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, such that the first and second communication terminals are automatically rewarded with the second item based on the second notification to the third communication terminal.   
     
     
       36. The game control method according to claim 35, wherein:
 in the second item providing step, in response to receiving a third request to provide the first item from the third communication terminal, transmit a third item usable in the game to at least one of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, in addition to transmitting the first item to the third communication terminal.   
     
     
       37. The game control method according to claim 35, wherein the second item is identical to the first item. 
     
     
       38. The game control method according to claim 35, wherein in the notification step:
 transmit the first notification to at least one additional destination corresponding to an additional communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals; and   in response to receiving a predetermined number of requests for the first item from the plurality of communication terminals, transmit the second item to the first communication terminal again.   
     
     
       39. The game control method according to claim 35, wherein, in the second item providing step, the second item is transmitted to both the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal contemporaneously with transmitting the second notification to the third communication terminal.