Game live distribution server and program

Abstract

To provide a game live distribution server and program capable of maintaining motivation for distribution even after a reward reference lowers.SOLUTION: A game live distribution server 2 for live distribution of a game play moving image to a viewer by a distributor includes: a reward standard determination part 224 which determines a reward standard to the distributor in accordance with distribution achievement of a game within an achievement evaluation period; a reward providing part 226 which calculates reward in accordance with a distribution time and a reward standard by the distributor within a reward target period when the reward standard is applied, and imparts it to the distributor; and a reset part 227 which resets the reward standard when the achievement evaluation period is over. The reward providing part 226 applies the reward standard before resetting to reward calculation within a prescribed period, after the reward reference is reset and a subsequent achievement evaluation period starts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a live game distribution server and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various video distribution services have become widespread along with the increasing performance and functionality of various devices such as smartphones and the increasing speed of communication via the Internet. In particular, live game distribution services have become available, in which a distributor broadcasts a game play to a large number of viewers' terminals in real time.

[0003] Furthermore, some live game distribution services offer a predetermined reward to distributors depending on their distribution performance, such as the duration of the game distribution and the number of times it is distributed.

[0004] Among the live game streaming services in which rewards are awarded in this manner, there are those in which a reward standard is set that can be updated for each broadcaster according to their broadcast performance, and rewards are awarded according to the length of broadcasting time within a specified period (reward period) that is eligible for rewards and the reward standard (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-021445 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such a system, the distribution performance during a reward period is used to evaluate the reward criteria for the next reward period, and when the previous reward period ends and the next reward period begins, the reward criteria are immediately updated to a new one based on the distribution performance during the previous reward period, and a new reward may be calculated.

[0007] However, if the reward standard is lowered with the start of the next reward period, the user's motivation to broadcast decreases as the reward standard is lowered, and the user may stop broadcasting.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a live game streaming server and program that allows players to maintain their motivation for streaming even when the reward standard is lowered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is a live game streaming server that live-streams a streamer's gameplay video to viewers, comprising: a reward standard determination unit that determines a reward standard for the streamer based on the streamer's performance in streaming the game within a performance evaluation period; a reward granting unit that calculates and grants a reward to the streamer based on the streamer's streaming time within a reward target period to which the reward standard applies and the reward standard; and a reset unit that resets the reward standard at the end of the performance evaluation period, wherein after the reward standard is reset and the subsequent performance evaluation period begins, the reward granting unit applies the reward standard before the reset to calculate the reward for a predetermined period of time.

[0010] It is preferable that the live streaming server of the above game further includes a broadcaster rank determination unit that determines a broadcaster rank indicating the broadcaster's status within the game based on the broadcaster's streaming performance during the performance evaluation period, the reward standard determination unit determines the reward standard based on the broadcaster rank, and the reset unit resets the reward standard by resetting the broadcaster rank at the end of the performance evaluation period.

[0011] In addition, in the live streaming server for the game, it is preferable that the broadcaster rank determination unit determines the broadcaster rank according to a score set for each type of broadcast performance that the broadcaster has acquired within the performance evaluation period.

[0012] In addition, in the live streaming server of the above game, it is preferable that the broadcaster rank determination unit carries over at least a portion of the score acquired by the broadcaster during the performance evaluation period to the subsequent performance evaluation period after the reward standard is reset by the reset unit, and uses the score in determining the broadcaster rank.

[0013] In addition, in the live streaming server for the game, it is preferable that the broadcaster rank determination unit changes the number of scores to be carried over to the subsequent performance evaluation period depending on the broadcaster rank at the end of the performance evaluation period.

[0014] Furthermore, in the live streaming server for the above game, it is preferable that the streaming history is at least one of the following: the streaming time of the game by the streamer, the number of times the streamer streamed the game, the number of viewers who watched the game streamed by the streamer, the number of items that can be used in the game donated by the viewers to the streamer, the number of comments sent to the streamer from the viewers, the number of viewers who follow the streamer, the number of likes given to the streamer by the viewers, in-game currency that can be used only in the game that is provided by the viewers to the streamer, and virtual currency that is provided by the viewers to the streamer.

[0015] In addition, in the live distribution server of the game, it is preferable that the reward is at least one of currency, virtual currency, and in-game currency that can be used only within the game.

[0016] In addition, it is preferable that the live streaming server of the above game further includes a reward type determination unit that determines a type of reward depending on the streaming performance of the streamer, and the reward type determination unit adds at least one of the currency or the virtual currency to the reward only when the streaming performance satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0017] The present invention is also characterized in that it is a program for live streaming of a game in which a broadcaster live-streams a game play video to viewers, the program causing a computer to execute a reward standard determination process for determining a reward standard for the broadcaster based on the broadcast performance of the game within a performance evaluation period, a reward granting process for calculating and granting a reward to the broadcaster based on the broadcast time by the broadcaster within a reward target period to which the reward standard applies and the reward standard, and a resetting process for resetting the reward standard at the end of the performance evaluation period, and the program causes a computer to function in the reward granting process such that after the reward standard is reset and the subsequent performance evaluation period begins, the reward standard before the reset is applied to the calculation of the reward for a predetermined period of time. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to maintain motivation for live game streaming even after the reward standard has been lowered. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a live game distribution system to which a live game distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a live game distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a live game distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a broadcaster database stored in a storage means of a live broadcasting server of a game according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] A schematic diagram showing the timing of updating and resetting broadcaster ranks and updating reward criteria by a live streaming server of a game according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on a viewer terminal communicating with a live streaming server of a game according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a live game distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, a live game distribution system to which a live game distribution server according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a live game distribution system 1 to which a live game distribution server 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, the live game distribution system 1 according to this embodiment includes a live game distribution server 2 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "server 2"), a distributor terminal 3 connected to the server 2 via a network N, and multiple viewer terminals 4 (4A, 4B, ..., 4N).

[0022] In this embodiment, the live game distribution system 1 is a system that enables a gameplay video distributed by a user who becomes a distributor to be provided to one or more users who become viewers in real time.

[0023] Specifically, in a game live distribution system 1, a server 2 provides one or more games, and each user accesses the server 2 from their own terminal (a distributor terminal 3 or a viewer terminal 4) to transmit game operation information from the terminal to the server 2, the server 2 performs various information processing within the game based on the operation information and transmits the results of the information processing to the user's terminal, and the user's terminal displays gameplay video based on the results of the information processing. In other words, the user's terminal only generates and transmits game operation information and draws gameplay video, and all other information processing related to the game is performed by the server 2.

[0024] Furthermore, when a user who plays the game wishes to live-broadcast his / her gameplay video, the server 2 provides the gameplay video to the viewer terminal 4 of the viewer who wishes to receive the video.

[0025] The distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 are terminals equipped with communication functions, voice call functions, recording and video recording functions, operation functions, and display functions, and are terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and PCs that can play various games and distribute or view the gameplay videos by accessing the server 2 via installed programs. The distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 are also equipped with chat functions and call functions. The distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 are basically the same terminal, and when a user who wants to distribute starts live game distribution through the terminal, the terminal functions as the distributor terminal 3, while when a user who wants to view the distributed video starts viewing through the terminal, the terminal functions as the viewer terminal 4.

[0026] 2 is a configuration block diagram of a live game distribution server 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire server 2, a storage unit 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0027] The control unit 21 includes a CPU 22 that controls the entire control unit 21, a ROM 23 that stores control programs and the like that run on the CPU 22, and a RAM 24 for temporarily storing various data.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the live game streaming server 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 21 functions as a game providing unit 221, a video streaming unit 222, a streamer rank determining unit 223, a reward criteria determining unit 224, a reward type determining unit 225, a reward granting unit 226, and a reset unit 227 by the CPU 22 expanding a program stored in the ROM 23 into the RAM 24 and executing it.

[0029] The game providing unit 221 provides a game to the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 based on one or more game data stored in the storage means 25. As described above, the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 only generate and transmit game operation information and draw gameplay videos, and all other information processing related to the game is performed by the game providing unit 221. In other words, the game providing unit 221 performs various information processing within the game based on the operation information transmitted from the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4, and transmits the results of the information processing to the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4. The distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 then display the gameplay videos based on the results of the information processing received by the game providing unit 221.

[0030] When the video distribution unit 222 receives information indicating that live distribution of the game will start from the distributor terminal 3, it distributes the gameplay video to those distributor terminals 3 that wish to watch the gameplay video of the game among those that access the server 2. When distributing this gameplay video, the video distribution unit 222 may distribute the video data as is, or may distribute the video after applying a predetermined process.

[0031] The distributor rank determination unit 223 determines a distributor rank indicating the status of the distributor in the game according to the distributor's game distribution performance during a performance evaluation period set as a distribution performance evaluation period, and updates the rank successively during the performance evaluation period. By setting the distributor rank, distributors are motivated to compete with each other for their own distributor rank, which can increase the distributors' motivation for distribution.

[0032] The distributor rank determined by the distributor rank determination unit 223 is also used to determine the remuneration standard, which is the calculation basis for the remuneration to be granted to the distributor, as described below, and is managed using the distributor database DB (see Figure 4).

[0033] The distribution performance may be at least one of the following: the distribution time of the game by the distributor, the number of times the distributor has distributed the game, the number of viewers who have watched the game distributed by the distributor, the number of items that can be used in the game given by viewers to the distributor, the number of comments sent from viewers to the distributor (see FIG. 6), the number of viewers who follow the distributor, the number of likes given to the distributor by viewers (see FIG. 6), in-game currency that can be used in the game provided by viewers to the distributor, and virtual currency provided to the distributor by viewers, or a combination of two or more of these. Here, all of these are considered to be included in the distribution performance. Here, "follow" is a function provided in the game live distribution system 1, and by a viewer following a distributor, when the followed distributor starts distribution, the viewer will receive a notification to that effect, and the broadcaster will be displayed in a list of broadcasters currently broadcasting.

[0034] In this embodiment, a score is set for each type of broadcasting performance, and the broadcaster rank determination unit 223 sequentially determines the broadcaster rank during a performance evaluation period according to the score the broadcaster has acquired during the performance evaluation period. For example, a broadcaster may be given a score of 40 every time he broadcasts for 15 minutes, a score of 4 every time the number of viewers increases by one, a score of 8 every time a viewer sends a comment, and so on. The scores acquired by the broadcaster are managed using a broadcaster database DB (see FIG. 4).

[0035] In addition, the distributor rank determination unit 223 uses at least a part of the score acquired by the distributor during the performance evaluation period for determining the distributor rank in the subsequent performance evaluation period after the remuneration standard is reset by the reset unit 227 described later. This score transfer will be described in detail later.

[0036] In this embodiment, the performance evaluation period is set to a one-month period from the 24th of a given month to the 23rd of the following month. The next performance evaluation period (the subsequent performance evaluation period) starts from the 24th of the following month.

[0037] The remuneration standard determination unit 224 determines and updates the remuneration standard for a distributor based on the distributor rank of the distributor. The determination of the remuneration standard by the remuneration standard determination unit 224 is performed simultaneously with the determination of the distributor rank by the distributor rank determination unit 223, and the determined remuneration standard is updated successively within the performance evaluation period and applied to the granting of remuneration (see FIG. 5). The determination of the remuneration standard by the remuneration standard determination unit 224 will be described in detail later. This remuneration standard is also managed using the distributor database DB (see FIG. 4).

[0038] The reward type determination unit 225 determines the type of reward depending on the broadcaster's broadcast performance (score in this embodiment).

[0039] In this embodiment, the reward is assumed to be real currency such as yen or dollars, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reward may be at least one of in-game currency usable only in the game and various virtual currencies, or a combination of two or more of them. The in-game currency is in-game points that can be used as payment when purchasing items, etc., and can be used only in the game.

[0040] The reward type determination unit 225 adds at least one of currency or virtual currency to the reward only when the broadcaster's broadcast performance satisfies a predetermined condition, and makes it an object of the reward granting unit 226 to grant the reward. In this embodiment, the reward type determination unit 225 adds currency as a reward to be granted by the reward granting unit 226 when the broadcaster's broadcast performance score reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., 40,000 or more). In addition, when the broadcaster's score is below the predetermined threshold, the reward type determination unit 225 grants only in-game currency that can be used only in the game as a reward.

[0041] The reward granting unit 226 grants a reward to the broadcaster based on the reward standard and the broadcasting time by the broadcaster. Specifically, the reward granting unit 226 grants the broadcaster a reward according to a value obtained by multiplying the broadcasting time of the game within a predetermined period by the reward standard applied to the predetermined period, and the type of reward according to the reward standard determined by the reward type determination unit 225.

[0042] In addition, after the reward standard is reset by the reset unit 227 described later and the subsequent performance evaluation period begins, the reward granting unit 226 applies the reward standard before the reset to the calculation of the reward for a predetermined period (application grace period). The calculation of the reward during this application grace period will be described in detail later.

[0043] The reset unit 227 resets the reward standard at the end of the performance evaluation period. In this embodiment, the performance evaluation period is a one-month period from the 24th of a certain month to the 23rd of the following month, and the reset unit 227 resets the distributor rank at the end of the 23rd, thereby resetting the reward standard.

[0044] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a broadcaster database DB stored in the storage means 25 of the live streaming server 2 of the game according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the broadcaster database DB, information on the user ID of each user who has broadcasted, the score acquired according to the broadcast performance, the broadcaster rank, and the reward standard are associated with each other and are stored in an updatable manner.

[0045] The earned score is the score that the distributor has earned during the performance evaluation period. For example, the user with user ID 0001 has an earned score of 7600, and the user with user ID 0002 has an earned score of 2540.

[0046] In this embodiment, the distributor rank increases by one every time the acquired score increases by 5000. If the acquired score is 0 to 4999, the distributor rank is D. If the acquired score is 5000 to 9999, the distributor rank is C. If the acquired score is 10000 to 14999, the distributor rank is B. If the acquired score is 15000 to 19999, the distributor rank is A. If the acquired score is 20000 or more, the distributor rank is S. Note that the rate at which the distributor rank increases according to the acquired score is not limited to this example in the present invention, and may be another rate. Each time a distributor acquires a score during the performance evaluation period and exceeds a predetermined score threshold, the distributor rank is updated sequentially.

[0047] In this embodiment, the remuneration standard is set for each distributor rank, and for example, if the distributor rank is D, the remuneration standard is 5, if the distributor rank is C, the remuneration standard is 10, if the distributor rank is B, the remuneration standard is 15, if the distributor rank is A, the remuneration standard is 20, and if the distributor rank is S, the remuneration standard is 25. Note that the rate at which the remuneration standard increases according to the distributor rank is not limited to this example in the present invention, and may be another rate.

[0048] Next, the update and reset of the broadcaster rank according to the broadcast performance and the update of the reward standard will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the timing of updating and resetting the broadcaster rank and updating the reward standard by the live broadcast server 2 of the game according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a reward is given to a broadcaster according to the reward standard and broadcast time during a performance evaluation period (one month from the 24th of a month to the 23rd of the following month). Then, at the end of the 23rd of each month, the broadcaster rank is reset, and the reward standard is also reset, and a part of the score according to the broadcaster's score is carried over to the subsequent performance evaluation period, and a new broadcaster rank is determined according to the carried over score. However, the determined broadcaster rank is not immediately applied to the calculation of the reward for the subsequent performance evaluation period, and the reward standard before the reset is applied during the grace period.

[0050] Specifically, during the performance evaluation period from June 24th (not shown) to July 23rd, based on the broadcaster's broadcast performance (earned score), the broadcaster rank is updated to C as of July 1st, the remuneration standard is updated to 10 accordingly, and the remuneration calculation is performed from July 1st onwards. Furthermore, during the same performance evaluation period, as the broadcaster accumulates broadcast performance, the broadcaster rank is updated to B on July 17th, the remuneration standard is updated to 15, and the remuneration calculation is performed from July 17th onwards.

[0051] Then, the performance evaluation period ends on July 23, and the distributor rank is reset by the reset unit 227. When the distributor rank is reset, the distributor rank determination unit 223 carries over at least a part of the score acquired by the distributor to the subsequent performance evaluation period (July 24 to August 23) after the reset of the distributor rank by the reset unit 227, and uses the part to determine the distributor rank.

[0052] Here, since the acquired score carried over by the distributor rank determination unit 223 after July 24th corresponds to the distributor rank D, the distributor rank is determined to be D.

[0053] Here, the distributor rank determination unit 223 takes over the acquired scores by, for example, decreasing the proportion of scores to be taken over for distributors with high distributor ranks and increasing the proportion of scores to be taken over for distributors with low distributor ranks.

[0054] Specifically, if the broadcaster rank is S, 30% of the earned score will be carried over, if the broadcaster rank is A, 40% of the earned score will be carried over, if the broadcaster rank is B, 50% of the earned score will be carried over, if the broadcaster rank is C, 60% of the earned score will be carried over, and if the broadcaster rank is D, 70% of the earned score will be carried over.

[0055] In this way, by reducing the percentage of data carried over for broadcasters with high broadcaster ranks and increasing the percentage of data carried over for broadcasters with low broadcaster ranks, it becomes easier for broadcasters with low broadcaster ranks to increase their broadcaster rank in the next performance evaluation period, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in motivation for broadcasting when resetting.

[0056] Also, at the end of the day on July 23rd, the reward granting unit 226 grants rewards to the distributor according to the distributor's broadcasting time during the performance evaluation period from June 24th to July 23rd and the reward criteria.

[0057] The subsequent performance evaluation period will begin on July 24th, but between July 24th and the end of that month (July 31st) there will be a grace period, and the compensation standard of 15, based on the streamer rank of B achieved at the end of the previous performance evaluation period, will be maintained and applied to the calculation of compensation, rather than the streamer rank of D determined at the start on July 24th.

[0058] Then, based on the distribution performance during the grace period from July 24th to July 31st, the distributor rank determination unit 223 updates the distributor rank to A from August 1st after the grace period ends, and the reward standard determination unit 224 updates the reward standard to 20 based on the distributor rank of A, and the reward granting unit 226 begins calculating the reward based on the reward standard 20.

[0059] Then, on August 23, the reset unit 227 resets the distributor rank. After the reset on August 23, the distributor rank determination unit 223 determines the distributor rank to be C because the acquired score carried over to the subsequent performance evaluation period starting on August 24 corresponds to a distributor rank of C.

[0060] Then, from August 24th to the end of the current month (August 31st) as a grace period, the remuneration standard of 20 based on the streamer rank of A achieved at the end of the immediately preceding performance evaluation period will be maintained and used to calculate the remuneration, instead of the streamer rank of C determined at the start of August 24th. Processing in subsequent performance evaluation periods will be performed in the same manner as the processing in the preceding performance evaluation period described above.

[0061] In this embodiment, after the broadcaster rank is reset, a grace period of a predetermined length is provided, and during the grace period, the remuneration standard is calculated based on the broadcaster rank that was reached at the end of the performance evaluation period before the reset. This grace period is also an evaluation period for determining the broadcaster rank after the grace period ends. In this embodiment, the broadcaster rank is reset on the 23rd of each month, and the grace period is from the 24th to the end of the month, but the timing of the reset and the length of the grace period are not particularly limited in the present invention, and may be other timings or lengths.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 2, the server 2 includes, in addition to the control unit 21, a storage unit 25 and a communication unit .

[0063] The storage means 25 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage means 25 stores various game-related data and various databases such as a distributor database DB, which are necessary for the server 2 to function.

[0064] The communication unit 26 is a network interface and communicates with the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 via the network N. The communication unit 26 passes various data received from the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 to the control unit 21, and transmits data generated by the control unit 21 to the distributor terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4.

[0065] Next, a description will be given of live streaming by the live game streaming system 1 having the above-mentioned configuration. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on a viewer terminal 4 that communicates with a live game streaming server 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, during live streaming of a game, a video window V, a chat window C, a chat input window I, an avatar window A, a gift icon G, and a menu button M for calling up various operation menus are displayed on the viewer terminal 4.

[0066] The video window V is a window in which a video of a distributor playing a game, distributed from the video distribution unit 222, is displayed. A heart-shaped like button L is displayed within the video window V, allowing viewers to give a high rating to the distributor who is distributing the game play video. Viewers can give a high rating to the distributor by touching this like button L. The total number of likes given to the distributor by viewers is displayed to the right of the like button L. In the example of FIG. 6, the total number of likes is displayed as 21.

[0067] Chat window C is a window in which the contents of the chat are displayed, including the names of the viewers who have spoken ("Hinata", "Aoi") and comments from each speaker ("Nice to meet you!" or "Here's your chance!").

[0068] The chat input window I is a window for inputting comments to be displayed in the chat window C. A viewer who wishes to make a comment can input characters into this chat input window I using the character input function of the viewer terminal 4 and transmit the character data to the server 2, whereupon the characters are displayed in the chat window C of the viewer terminal 4. The contents of the chat are also displayed on the distributor terminal 3.

[0069] Avatar window A is a window that displays the broadcaster's avatar a and the broadcaster's name (Honoka).

[0070] The gift icon G is an icon selected when a viewer wishes to give gift content to a distributor, and by selecting this icon, a list of gift contents that can be given based on a gift database (not shown) is displayed on the viewer terminal 4. Then, when the viewer selects the gift content they wish to give from the list of gift contents in exchange for their points, a gift request is transmitted from the viewer terminal 4 to the server 2, and the server 2 extracts the specified gift content from the gift database in response to the gift request and provides it to the distributor.

[0071] Next, the operation of the server 2 having the above-mentioned configuration and functions will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the live game distribution server 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, first, a viewer operates the viewer terminal 4 to transmit a request to the server 2 to view a live broadcast of a game by a predetermined broadcaster (step S1).

[0073] Next, the video distribution unit 222 distributes the play video of the distributor to the viewer terminal 4 (step S2). The distributed video data is displayed in a video window V of the viewer terminal 4 as shown in FIG.

[0074] Next, the distributor rank determination unit 223 sequentially determines and updates the distributor rank of the distributor based on the distributor's game distribution performance during the performance evaluation period (step S3). When the distributor rank is changed, the distributor rank determination unit 223 updates the distributor rank in the distributor database DB to a new one and stores it.

[0075] Next, the remuneration standard determination unit 224 determines and updates the next remuneration standard based on the distributor rank at the same time as determining the distributor rank (step S4).

[0076] Next, the reset unit 227 resets the distributor rank of the distributor at the end of the performance evaluation period, thereby resetting the remuneration standard (step S5).

[0077] Next, the reward granting unit 226 grants a reward to the distributor based on the reward standard in the performance evaluation period and the duration of distribution by the distributor (step S6).

[0078] Then, if the grace period has elapsed after the reward is given in step S6 (step S7: YES), the distributor rank determination unit 223 determines and updates the distributor rank based on the distribution performance during the grace period (step S8).

[0079] In addition, with the update of the distributor rank, the remuneration standard determination unit 224 determines and updates the remuneration standard according to the distributor rank (step S9).

[0080] Also, if the grace period has not elapsed (step S7), the reward criteria will not be updated until the grace period has elapsed, and the reward granting unit 226 will continue to calculate the reward based on the reward criteria that were applied before the broadcaster rank was reset.

[0081] According to the live streaming server 2 of the game of this embodiment described above, after the reward standard is reset, the reward standard before the reset is used to calculate the reward until the grace period has elapsed, allowing the broadcaster to maintain their motivation for broadcasting even if the reward standard decreases due to the reset of the reward standard.

[0082] Furthermore, as described above, in the present invention, various things can be adopted as distribution achievements, but when things provided by viewers are used as distribution achievements, such as the number of items that can be used in the game given by viewers to the distributor, the number of comments sent to the distributor by viewers, the number of likes given to the distributor by viewers, and currency, virtual currency, and in-game currency provided to the distributor by viewers, there is a possibility that distributors will collude to provide each other with things that will become distribution achievements, thereby unfairly raising their distributor ranks and raising the reward standards.

[0083] If such fraud occurs and the distributor is paid in virtual or real currency, it is difficult to recover the reward once it has been paid, even if the fraud is discovered, and the operator may incur losses. However, by using in-game currency that can only be used within the game as the distributor's reward, the operator can make the in-game currency unusable if such fraud is discovered, making it easier for the operator to respond to the fraud and preventing losses to the operator.

[0084] Furthermore, the reward type determination unit 225 can add at least one of real currency or virtual currency to the reward only when the broadcaster's streaming performance meets a predetermined condition, such as when the broadcaster's acquired score reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to impose conditions that are difficult to achieve for broadcasters who attempt to gain streaming performance through fraudulent means, such as by broadcasting a game but leaving it without actually operating it in order to gain streaming time, and prevents the loss of real currency or virtual currency.

[0085] In addition, by making it so that at least a portion of the score that a broadcaster has earned during a performance evaluation period is carried over to the next performance evaluation period and used by the reward standard determination unit 224 to determine the reward standard, it is possible to prevent sudden increases and decreases in the broadcaster rank and reward standard, and to maintain the broadcaster's motivation for broadcasting.

[0086] In addition, when the score acquired by a broadcaster is carried over to the next performance evaluation period, the number of scores carried over to the next performance evaluation period can be changed depending on the value of the reward standard. This makes it easier for broadcasters with a low broadcaster rank to raise their rank by continuing to broadcast, enabling them to maintain and improve their motivation for broadcasting, and also motivates broadcasters with a high broadcaster rank to work hard at broadcasting rather than being satisfied with the current situation so as to maintain their high broadcaster rank.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

[0088] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the broadcaster terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 only generate and transmit game operation information and draw gameplay videos, and all other information processing related to the game is performed by the server 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the broadcaster terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 may perform at least a part of the information processing that was performed by the server 2 in the above-described embodiment, other than generating and transmitting game operation information and drawing gameplay videos. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1: Live game streaming system 2: Live game streaming server 3: Distributor terminal 4: Viewer terminal 21: Control unit 22: CPU 23:ROM 24:RAM 25: Memory means 26: Communications Department 221: Game Provider 222: Video Distribution Department 223: Broadcaster Ranking Division 224: Remuneration Standards Determination Department 225: Reward type determination unit 226: Reward Department 227: Reset section A:Avatar Window a:Avatar C: Chat window DB: Broadcaster database G: Gift icon I: Chat input window L: Like button M: Menu button V: Video window

Claims

1. A live game distribution server that distributes live game play videos of distributors to viewers, a reward standard determination unit that determines a reward standard for the distributor based on the distribution performance of the game within a performance evaluation period; A reward granting unit that calculates and grants a reward to the distributor according to the broadcasting time by the distributor within a reward target period to which the reward standard is applied and the reward standard; A reset unit that resets the remuneration standard at the end of the performance evaluation period; Equipped with The reward granting unit applies the reward standard before the reset to calculate the reward for a predetermined period after the reward standard is reset and a subsequent performance evaluation period begins.

2. a broadcaster rank determination unit that determines a broadcaster rank indicating a status of the broadcaster in the game according to the broadcast performance of the broadcaster during the performance evaluation period; The remuneration standard determination unit determines the remuneration standard according to the distributor rank, The live game distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the reset unit resets the reward standard by resetting the distributor rank at the end of the performance evaluation period.

3. The game live streaming server according to claim 2 , wherein the broadcaster rank determination unit determines the broadcaster rank according to a score set for each type of broadcast performance acquired by the broadcaster within the performance evaluation period.

4. The live game streaming server of claim 3, wherein the broadcaster rank determination unit carries over at least a portion of the score acquired by the broadcaster during the performance evaluation period to the subsequent performance evaluation period after the reward standard is reset by the reset unit, and uses the score to determine the broadcaster rank.

5. The game live distribution server according to claim 4 , wherein the distributor rank determination unit changes the number of the scores carried over to the subsequent performance evaluation period depending on the distributor rank at the end of the performance evaluation period.

6. The live streaming server of a game as described in claim 1, wherein the streaming performance is at least one of the following: the time the streamer streams the game, the number of times the streamer streams the game, the number of viewers who watched the game streamed by the streamer, the number of items that can be used in the game donated to the streamer by the viewers, the number of comments sent to the streamer by the viewers, the number of viewers who follow the streamer, the number of likes given to the streamer by the viewers, in-game currency that can be used only in the game provided to the streamer by the viewers, and virtual currency provided to the streamer by the viewers.

7. The live game distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the reward is at least one of currency, virtual currency, and in-game currency that can be used only in the game.

8. A remuneration type determination unit that determines a type of remuneration according to the delivery performance of the distributor, The live game distribution server according to claim 7 , wherein the reward type determination unit adds at least one of the currency or the virtual currency to the reward only when the distribution performance satisfies a predetermined condition.

9. A program for live streaming of a game in which a distributor live-streams a game play video to viewers, a reward standard determination step of determining a reward standard for the distributor based on the distribution performance of the game within a performance evaluation period; a reward awarding step of calculating and awarding a reward to the distributor according to the broadcasting time by the distributor within a reward target period to which the reward standard applies and the reward standard; A resetting step of resetting the reward criteria at the end of the performance evaluation period; and causing a computer to execute the above. A program for causing a computer to function in the reward granting process such that after the reward standard is reset and the subsequent performance evaluation period begins, the reward standard before the reset is applied to the calculation of the reward for a specified period of time.

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