Program, terminal device, and system

Abstract

To provide a system capable of increasing fun in a virtual space.SOLUTION: A system 1 includes: a virtual space control section 233; a photographing control section 235; and a parameter setting section. The virtual space control section 233 defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a photographing camera. The photographing control section 235 photographs a predetermined photographing area within a virtual space in which the first avatar and the second avatar are included. The parameter setting section sets a control parameter for defining a control mode of a photographing camera when photographing a predetermined photographing area on the basis of event information correlated with a situation of an event occurring in a virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a terminal device, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the information processing system described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of characters become close to each other in a virtual space, a photograph is taken with the characters in a specific pose. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-75441 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The information processing system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of interest in the virtual space. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program, a terminal device, and a system that can improve the interest in a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect includes a computer comprising: a virtual space control means for defining a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an image capturing control means for capturing an image of a predetermined image capturing area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar, using the image capturing camera; The program functions as a parameter setting means for setting control parameters that define the control manner of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area, based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space.

[0006] In a first aspect, the event occurs in association with a predetermined area of ​​the virtual space; The parameter setting means can set the control parameters so as to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar and the second avatar are located within the specified area and associated with the event.

[0007] In the first aspect, the event information can include at least one of information on the number and positions of the second avatars located within the predetermined area. In the first aspect, the control parameters can include a setting parameter that defines whether or not a predetermined part of the second avatar is to be included in the predetermined shooting area.

[0008] In a first aspect, the event includes a first event occurring in association with a first region of the virtual space, and a second event occurring in association with a second region of the virtual space; the parameter setting means sets the control parameters to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar is located in the first area and associated with the first event, and the second avatar is located in the second area and associated with the second event; The event information may include information associated with a status of the second event.

[0009] In a first aspect, the second event may occur in each of a plurality of second areas of the virtual space, The event information may further include information on the number of the second events.

[0010] In a first aspect, the virtual space includes: a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are placed; A second virtual space different from the first virtual space, The event may occur in the second virtual space.

[0011] In a first aspect, the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area of ​​the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information may be information associated with a progress status of the game.

[0012] In the first aspect, the parameter setting means can further set the control parameter based on whether the first user is a player or a spectator of the game. In the first aspect, the parameter setting means can further set the control parameter based on whether the second user is a player or a spectator of the game.

[0013] In the first aspect, when the event is a first event, the photographing control means obtains a first image by photographing a predetermined photographing area in the first virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the photographing camera; The computer, an image acquisition means for acquiring a second image, which is an image of the second virtual space, when a second event occurs in the second virtual space; The image processing device may further function as a synthesis device that synthesizes the first image and the second image.

[0014] In a first aspect, the virtual space control means can determine a display manner of the second avatar in the virtual space based on setting information set for the second avatar by the second user. A second aspect of the present invention includes a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The terminal device is equipped with a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define the control manner of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area, based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention provides a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The system includes a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define the control manner of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area, based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a program, a terminal device, and a system that can improve the interest in a virtual space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse of an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a competitive game according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a time chart showing an example of an action of an avatar in the metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse of an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse of an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse of an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by the camera of the embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in a second modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in a second modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in a third modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in a sixth modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a game device according to a seventh modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a composite image according to a seventh modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [Embodiment] An embodiment of a system 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <Game Description> 1, in a system 1 of the present embodiment, a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network 6, and a game provided by the server device 2 is executed on the game devices 5. In the present embodiment, the game devices 5 correspond to terminal devices.

[0019] The games of this embodiment include a search game and a battle game. The exploration game is a game in which a user can explore a virtual space by operating an avatar in the virtual space. The virtual space is a three-dimensional world configured on the Internet. An avatar is a character that can be operated as an alter ego of a user in the virtual space. In the following, a virtual space in which avatars operated by multiple users each appear and can perform various interactions with each other may be referred to as a metaverse. Examples of interactions include linguistic interactions using characters and voices, dialogue using gestures, and non-verbal interactions in which users share the same space and act together to achieve a common goal. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a metaverse VS provided by the server device 2. Note that in FIG. 2, the metaverse VS is represented two-dimensionally, but the actual metaverse VS exists as a three-dimensional space. In the metaverse VS, there are multiple avatars A10 operated by multiple users. Each user can freely explore the metaverse VS via the avatar A10 by operating the game device 5.

[0020] In the metaverse VS of this embodiment, a plurality of paired virtual game cabinets MT10 are arranged. Each user can play a battle game with another user by operating an avatar A10 close to the virtual game cabinet MT10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the virtual game cabinet MT11 is set with a battle area S10, which is a rectangular area indicated by a two-dot chain line with the virtual game cabinet MT11 at its center. Assume that a certain user U11 positions his / her avatar A11 in the battle area S10, and another user U12 positions his / her avatar A12 in the battle area S10. In this case, the screen displayed on the game device 5 of each user U11, U12 transitions from the screen of the metaverse VS to the screen G10 of the virtual game space GS as shown in FIG. 3. This allows each user U11, U12 to play a battle game in the same virtual game space GS. In the virtual game space GS, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, there are a player character C11 operated by the user U11 and a player character C12 operated by the user U12. The battle game is a battle-type fighting game in which the player character C11 operated by the user U11 and the player character C12 operated by the user U12 can battle each other. When the competitive game ends, the screen displayed on each of the users U11 and U12's game devices 5 returns from the virtual game space GS screen to the metaverse VS screen. In this manner, the game of this embodiment progresses by moving back and forth between the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS. In this embodiment, the metaverse VS corresponds to the first virtual space, and the virtual game space GS corresponds to the second virtual space different from the first virtual space.

[0021] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the users U11 and U12 are playing a competitive game in the virtual game space GS, a user U13 other than the users U11 and U12 can watch the competitive game being played by the users U11 and U12. Specifically, when the user U13 operates his / her own game device 5 to position the avatar A13 in a watching area S11, which is a circular area shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 with the virtual game cabinet MT11 at the center, the screen displayed on the game device 5 of the user U13 transitions from the screen of the metaverse VS to the screen G10 of the virtual game space GS shown in FIG. 3. This allows the user U13 to watch the competitive game being played by the users U11 and U12. Therefore, for example, if the user U11 who operates the avatar A11 is a well-known player, a large number of avatars may gather around the virtual game cabinet MT11 to watch the competitive game.

[0022] Such a metaverse and game are executed using a game device 5, which is a home game console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. In the following, a case where the game device 5 is a smartphone will be exemplified.

[0023] In the following, an avatar operated by a user playing a game in the virtual game space GS will also be referred to as an "avatar in a game," and an avatar operated by a user watching the competitive game will also be referred to as an "avatar in a game." <System Overview> As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5.

[0024] The server device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game devices 5, more specifically, manages the game data for each account. The game device 5 executes a search game and a fighting game based on a user's operation. To this end, the game device 5 receives, specifically downloads and installs, a game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6. Each user is assigned account information in association with the game device 5. The account information includes identification information, a password, and the like. The account information is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the server device 2.

[0025] After user authentication, mutual communication between the server device 2 and the game device 5 becomes possible. After logging in, the game device 5 receives data necessary for the progress of the search game and the fighting game, for example data related to the game progress status, from the server device 2, and progresses the search game and the fighting game while outputting game images and sounds based on the user's operation.

[0026] <Game system configuration> Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of each of the server device 2 and the game device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. <Server device configuration> The server device 2 provides a game to the game device 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the server device 2 has a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the network interface unit 23 are electrically connected.

[0027] The network interface 21 is communicably connected to each game device 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet or a LAN. The storage unit 22 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program of this embodiment, as well as various data such as a user database (DB) 221.

[0028] In the user DB221, user information and information on the characters operated by the users are stored in association with each identification number of the users who play the game. The user information includes information such as the user name and the user rank. The character information includes information on the avatars that can be operated in the metaverse VS and information on the player characters that can be operated in the virtual game space GS of the fighting game. The avatar information includes information on the appearance of the avatars and information on items associated with the avatars. The player character information includes information on the level and status of the player, items associated with the player characters, and the like.

[0029] The control unit 23 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2. The control unit 23 executes various programs to function as information processing means 231, matching means 232, virtual space control means 233, game progression means 234, photography control means 235, parameter setting means 236, and image editing means 237. In this embodiment, these means 231 to 237 correspond to an information processing unit, a matching unit, a virtual space control unit, a game progression unit, a photography control unit, a parameter setting unit, and an image acquisition unit, respectively.

[0030] -Information processing means- The information processing means 231 transmits and receives various data to and from each game device 5. Main data received by the information processing means 231 includes game program download request information, account information, game data, etc. Main data transmitted by the information processing means 231 includes information for confirming that the game device 5 has received the game program, etc.

[0031] -Method of verification- The verification means 232 uses the user identification information received from the game device 5 to authenticate the user account. -Virtual space control means- The virtual space control means 233 generates a metaverse VS and controls the generated metaverse VS. For example, the virtual space control means 233 generates a metaverse VS in which a plurality of virtual game cabinets MT10 are arranged as shown in Fig. 2. In addition, the virtual space control means 233 arranges an avatar A10 of each user in the metaverse VS and operates the avatar in the metaverse VS based on an operation of the game device 5 by the user.

[0032] Furthermore, the virtual space control means 233 places a photographing camera Ca in the metaverse VS as shown in Fig. 4. The photographing camera Ca is a virtual camera, and may be visible in the metaverse VS or may not be visible in the metaverse VS. The photographing camera Ca is placed in association with each of the multiple avatars A10 present in the metaverse VS. For example, the photographing cameras Ca are associated with the avatars A11 to A13 shown in Fig. 2, respectively. The photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 is basically used to photograph a predetermined area of ​​the metaverse VS including the avatar A11.

[0033] -Game progression- The game progression means 234 progresses the battle game based on the operation of the game device 5 by the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when two avatars A11, A12 are associated with a pair of virtual game cabinets MT11 in the metaverse VS, the screens displayed on the game devices 5 of the users U11, U12 are transitioned from the screen of the metaverse VS to the screen of the virtual game space GS of the battle game. Then, the game progression means 234 moves one player character C11 in the virtual game space GS based on the operation of the game device 5 of the user U11, and moves the other player character C12 in the virtual game space GS based on the operation of the game device 5 of the other user U12. In the battle game performed in the virtual game space GS, the user wins by making the hit points of the opponent's player character below a predetermined value (typically zero) based on the operation of the player's own player character. On the other hand, the user loses if the hit points of the player character of the user becomes below a predetermined value (typically zero) based on the operation of the opponent's player character. When the competitive game between users U11 and U12 ends, the game progression means 234 transitions the screen displayed on the game device 5 of each user U11, U12 from the screen of the virtual game space GS of the competitive game to a screen of the metaverse VS.

[0034] -Shooting control means- The photographing control means 235 photographs the inside of the metaverse VS using a photographing camera Ca arranged in the metaverse VS, and acquires an image of the inside of the metaverse VS. For example, the photographing control means 235 photographs a predetermined area in the metaverse VS so as to include the avatar A11, using a photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the photographing control means 235 photographs a predetermined area in the metaverse VS including the avatar A11 operated by the user U11 and avatars operated by other users, thereby acquiring videos and still images that satisfy predetermined photographing conditions. The predetermined photographing conditions are, for example, the conditions shown in a1 to a3 below.

[0035] (a1) A specified event occurs. (a2) A predetermined number or more of other avatars are present around avatar A11. (a3) A specific avatar is present around avatar A11.

[0036] The predetermined events in the condition a1 broadly include events that occur in the fighting game and events that occur in the Metaverse VS. An event occurring in a competitive game is, for example, an event that the competitive game being played by the user U11 becomes exciting, or an event that the competitive game being watched by the user U11 becomes exciting. An "event that makes a competitive game exciting" is, for example, when a player character's special move is successful in a competitive game, or when the situation becomes complicated in the final round of a competitive game.

[0037] An event occurring in the Metaverse VS is, for example, an event in which a predetermined number or more of avatars gather in the spectating area S11 of a predetermined virtual game cabinet MT10, or an event in which a concert is held within the Metaverse VS. The condition a2 corresponds to a condition that a large number of other avatars are present around the avatar A11. The periphery of the avatar A11 is set, for example, within a predetermined circular area centered around the avatar A11. The predetermined number may be determined in advance or may be set by the user U11.

[0038] The specific avatar in the condition a3 is, for example, an avatar operated by a famous player, an avatar wearing a special skin, etc. A famous player is, for example, a player with a high record in a competitive game, a famous broadcaster, etc. When any of the above conditions a1 to a3 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 acquires a still image by photographing with the photographing camera Ca in a photographing manner corresponding to the satisfied condition. For example, when an event occurs in which the competitive game played by the user U11 becomes exciting as the condition a1, the photographing control means 235 photographs with the photographing camera Ca a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and the periphery of the virtual game cabinet in which the competitive game is being played are included in the photographing area. When the condition a2 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 photographs with the photographing camera Ca a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and other avatars existing around the avatar are included in the photographing area. When the condition a3 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 photographs with the photographing camera Ca a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and a specific avatar are included in the photographing area.

[0039] The image capture control means 235 constantly captures images of the inside of the metaverse VS using the image capture camera Ca, and obtains a video of a predetermined time before and after the point in time when any of the above conditions a1 to a3 is satisfied. This video contains images of a scene corresponding to the satisfied condition. For example, the video corresponding to the condition a2 contains images of a scene in which a large number of other avatars are present around the user's own avatar.

[0040] Detailed control parameters that define the shooting manner of the camera Ca when shooting still images and moving images are set by a parameter setting means. Furthermore, the user U11 can set priorities for the above conditions a1, a2, and a3 by operating his / her own game device 5. For example, if the priority of the condition a1 is set to the highest, the priority of the condition a3 is set to the lowest, and the priority of the condition a2 is set to an intermediate between them, the shooting control means 235 will shoot with the shooting camera Ca in a shooting mode corresponding to the condition a1 with the highest priority when all of the conditions a1 to a3 are simultaneously satisfied.

[0041] The image capture control means 235 automatically captures at least one of a video and a still image when any of the above conditions (a1) to (a3) ​​is satisfied along the timeline of the avatar A11's actions in the metaverse VS. For example, if the avatar A11 performs actions as shown in Fig. 5 in the metaverse VS, at least one of a video and a still image according to each situation is automatically captured by the image capture control means 235. In the following, the video and the still image are collectively referred to as "images".

[0042] 5, time t10 indicates the time when user U11 logs in to the game, and time t17 indicates the time when user U11 logs out of the game. In addition, the period from time t10 to time t11, the period from time t14 to time t15, and the period from time t16 to time t17 indicate the periods when user U11 operated avatar A11 to explore the metaverse VS. In addition, the period from time t11 to time t14, and the period from time t15 to time t16 indicate the periods when user U11 played the first fighting game and the second fighting game, respectively. Of the period from time t11 to time t14, the period from time t11 to time t12 indicates the period when the first round was being played in the first competitive game, the period from time t13 to time t14 indicates the period when the second round was being played in the first competitive game, and the period from time t12 to time t13 indicates the period between the first and second rounds of the first competitive game.

[0043] For example, during the search period from time t10 to time t11, when a predetermined number or more of other avatars A14 are present within the judgment area S12, which is a circular area indicated by a dashed double-dashed line in FIG. 6 and centered on the user's own avatar A11, the photography control means 235 determines that the above condition a2 is satisfied and automatically captures an image with the photography camera Ca.

[0044] Also, for example, during the period from time 11 to time 14, when the fighting game being played by user U11 becomes exciting as a result of a special move being executed, the photographing control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied, and automatically captures an image using the photographing camera Ca.

[0045] In this way, the photographing control means 235 automatically captures images including the avatar A11 and other avatars along a timeline of the avatar A11's actions in the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS. That is, automatic photographing by the photographing camera Ca continues not only during the period when the user U11 is operating the avatar A11 in the metaverse VS, but also during the period when the user U11 is operating his / her player character C11 in the virtual game space GS that is different from the metaverse VS.

[0046] Every time an image is acquired, the photographing control means 235 stores the acquired image file in the user DB 221. When storing the image file in the user DB 221, the photographing control means 235 associates metadata including scene information that enables determination of the situation in which the image file was acquired with the image file.

[0047] For example, for image files acquired during a search period from time t10 to time t11 shown in Fig. 5, the shooting control means 235 associates metadata including scene information called "first venue search" with the image files and stores them in the user DB 221. Image files acquired during a search period from time t14 to time t15 are associated with metadata including scene information called "second venue search." Furthermore, image files acquired during a search period from time t16 to time t17 are associated with metadata including scene information called "third venue search."

[0048] Furthermore, for image files acquired during the battle period from time t11 to time t14 shown in Fig. 5, the photography control means 235 associates metadata including scene information "during the first battle game" with the image files and stores them in the user DB 221. Metadata including scene information "during the first battle game" is associated with image files acquired during the battle period from time t15 to time t16.

[0049] The photographing control means 235 not only performs automatic photographing, but also performs so-called manual photographing at any timing instructed by the user U11 based on the operation of the game device 5 by the user U11. - Parameter setting method - The parameter setting means 236 sets various control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on the status of events occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS when the photographing camera Ca photographs the inside of the metaverse VS. The control parameters define the control manner of the photographing camera Ca, such as the position, line of sight direction, and angle of view.

[0050] For example, assume that a user U11 positions an avatar A11 in the observation area S11 as shown in FIG. 7 and watches a battle game being played by avatars A40 and A41 in a virtual game cabinet MT11. Assume that a plurality of other avatars A30 exist around the avatar A11, and the users of the plurality of avatars A30 are watching the battle game being played in the virtual game cabinet MT11. At this time, an event occurs in the metaverse VS that a predetermined number or more of avatars exist in one observation area S11. In such a case, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the line of sight direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca so that it faces the avatar A11, as shown in Fig. 7. The parameter setting means 236 also determines the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 7 by setting the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatars A40, A41 playing in the virtual game cabinet MT11 and the multiple avatars A30 watching the game around the avatar A11 are captured as much as possible. That is, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on the number of avatars A30. Fig. 7 illustrates a case where one avatar A31 of the multiple avatars A30 is outside the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11. In addition, the parameter setting means 236 may make it a prerequisite that the user's avatar A11 and the avatars A40, A41 operated by the user during the match be included in the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11, while including other avatars A30 in the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11 as much as possible.

[0052] Furthermore, when the avatar A11 watching the game is photographed by the photographing camera Ca, the parameter setting means 236 sets the line of sight direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca to be parallel to the horizontal direction in the metaverse VS. This makes it easier to obtain a realistic image. In addition, when the line of sight Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca is set parallel to the horizontal direction, if an obstacle such as the virtual game cabinet MT11 or another avatar A30 gets between the photographing camera Ca and the avatar A11, the parameter setting means 236 may move the photographing camera Ca vertically upward in the metaverse VS. This allows the avatar A11 to be photographed at an angle looking down from above, making it possible to obtain an image seen from a bird's-eye perspective. In this way, the parameter setting means 236 further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca according to the positions of the virtual game cabinet MT11 and the other avatars A30.

[0053] The parameter setting means 236 may set the line of sight direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca so that the line of sight direction Ca10 is shifted by a predetermined angle or more from the line of sight direction of the avatar A11. This makes it possible to obtain an image that gives the impression that the avatar A11 is watching a competitive game. On the other hand, for example, assume that a user U11 positions an avatar A11 in a battle area S10 as shown in Fig. 8 and plays a battle game in the virtual game space GS with a user U12 who is controlling another avatar A12 located in the battle area S10. At this time, an event that a battle game is being played occurs in the virtual game space GS. At this time, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, for example, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0054] Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatars A11 and A12 in the match are included, and other avatars A30 watching the match are included as much as possible, as shown in Fig. 8. That is, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on the number of avatars A30. Fig. 9 shows an example of a still image IM10 photographed by the photographing camera Ca arranged as shown in Fig. 8.

[0055] The parameter setting means 236 may set the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the faces of the multiple avatars A30 being watched are not captured in the image. This makes it easier for the user U11 to recognize that the captured image is an image of his / her avatar A30, since only the face of the user U11's own avatar A30 is likely to be captured in the captured image.

[0056] 8, if the virtual game cabinet MT11 or other avatars A30 are in the line of sight Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca due to a large number of other avatars A30 watching the game, the parameter setting means 236 may move the photographing camera Ca vertically upward in the metaverse VS. In other words, the parameter setting means 236 may further set control parameters for the photographing camera Ca according to the positions of the virtual game cabinet MT11 and other avatars A30.

[0057] Furthermore, with regard to various control parameters of the photographing camera Ca when manual photographing is performed by the photographing control means 235, the parameter setting means 236 may use the same control parameters as those used during the automatic photographing described above, or may use control parameters manually set by the user.

[0058] The control parameters of the photographing camera Ca also include information on whether to include the face of an avatar A12 operated by a user U12 in an image when the avatar A12 is included in the photographing area Ca11,Ca11, when photographing with the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 operated by the user U11. The user U12 who operates the avatar A12 can set photographing conditions, which are photographing conditions of his / her avatar A12 when photographing the avatar A12 with the photographing camera Ca associated with another avatar such as the avatar A11, by operating his / her own game device 5. The photographing conditions include, for example, photographing conditions related to the face of his / her avatar A12. The photographing conditions for the face of the avatar A12 include, for example, a first condition that the face of the user's avatar A12 is permitted to be photographed, a second condition that the face of the user's avatar A12 is blurred, and a third condition that the face of the user's avatar A12 is replaced with another face. The user U12 can select any one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition as the photographing condition for the face of the user's avatar A12 by operating the game device 5. For example, when the user U12 selects the second condition as the photographing condition for the face of the avatar A12, if the avatar A12 is included in the photographing area Ca11,Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the face of the avatar A12 is blurred in the image photographed by the photographing camera Ca.

[0059] Note that the part of the avatar for which the photographing condition can be set is not limited to the face, but may be the entire body of the avatar. - Image editing methods - After the user logs out of the game, the image editing means 237 automatically creates a video file, a so-called digest video file, by connecting multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235. The image files used when creating the digest video file include not only image files automatically acquired by the shooting control means 235, but also image files manually acquired based on the user's instructions. When creating the digest video file, the image editing means 237 connects multiple video files in the order acquired by the image editing means 237 along the timeline shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0060] The image editing means 237 automatically creates a digest movie file based on the playback time and capacity of the movie file set by the user. For example, the image editing means 237 creates a digest movie file by selecting multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235 so that the playback time and capacity of the digest movie file are set by the user. Alternatively, the image editing means 237 creates a digest movie file by performing image processing, such as adjusting the resolution, on the multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235.

[0061] The digest movie file created by the image editing means 237 is provided to the user by being transmitted from the server device 2 to the game device 5. This allows the user to easily broadcast his / her own actions in the metaverse VS by uploading the digest movie file to an SNS or the like. Therefore, the playback time and capacity of the movie file set by the user are set based on, for example, the upper limit values ​​of the playback time and capacity of the movie file in the SNS to which the digest movie file is uploaded.

[0062] <Configuration of Game Device 5> 1, a display 61, a speaker 62, and a touch pad 63 are externally connected or built into the game device 5. The game device 5 also has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

[0063] The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to a communication network 6 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2. The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images including various objects related to the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS in a moving image format in accordance with game image information output from the control unit 56. The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to a display 61, for example, a liquid crystal type, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

[0064] The audio processing unit 53 is connected to a speaker 62 , and reproduces and synthesizes game sounds in accordance with instructions from the control unit 56 , and outputs the sounds from the speaker 62 . The operation unit 54 is connected to the touch pad 63, and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the touch pad 63. The user touches the touch pad 63 to input operation signals to the game device 5.

[0065] The storage unit 55 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 5, etc. The storage unit 55 stores user information. The user information is at least a part of information in a user DB 221 stored in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2. A master of user information is managed in the user DB 221, and the storage unit 55 of the game device 5 stores at least a part of the information of the master distributed from the server device 2.

[0066] The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5. The control unit 56 executes various programs to function as a communication means 561, a game execution means 562, an audio control means 563, and a display control means 564. These means 561 to 564 correspond to a communication unit, a game execution unit, an audio control unit, and a display control unit, respectively.

[0067] -Means of communication 561- The communication means 561 communicates with the server device 2 via the network interface 51. The communication means 561 generates and transmits information that the server device 2 can grasp in response to various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the touch pad 63. For example, the communication means 561 transmits account information, download request information for new game data, user information, game data, and the like to the server device 2. In addition, the communication means 561 receives new game data and the like transmitted from the server device 2 in response to the download request information from the server device 2.

[0068] -Game execution means- The game execution means 562 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 55 in accordance with a user's operation of the touch pad 63, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing a game program using data received from the server device 2. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, the processed game images are successively displayed on the display 61.

[0069] The game execution means 562 places an avatar in the metaverse VS on the game image according to a user's operation, and controls the behavior of the avatar in the metaverse VS according to the user's operation and the progress of the search game in the metaverse VS. The game execution means 562 also places a player character in the virtual game space GS on the game image according to the user's operation, and controls the behavior of the player character in the virtual game space GS according to the user's operation and the progress of the competitive game.

[0070] -Voice control means- The audio control means 563 controls the audio output of the speaker 62 based on the user's operation on the game device 5 during execution of the game. -Display control means- The display control means 564 controls the display output of the display 61 based on the user's operation on the game device 5 during execution of the game.

[0071] <Game system operation flow> Next, an example of the operation of the system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10, in the system 1 of this embodiment, when a user U11 operates the game device 5 to log in to the game (step S10), the server device 2 accepts the user U11's login to the game (step S20) and transmits data required to start the search game to the game device 5 (step S21). As a result, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 starts the search game (step S11). In the search game, the user U11 can explore the metaverse VS by operating his or her own avatar A11.

[0072] When the photographing control means 235 of the server device 2 recognizes that the user U11 has started the exploration game (step S22), it starts automatic photographing (step S23). After that, the photographing control means 235 continues to automatically acquire images in the metaverse VS that include the avatar A11 operated by the user U11 and that satisfy the conditions shown in a1 to a3 above.

[0073] Next, when the user U11 operates the avatar A11 in the metaverse VS and requests to play a competitive game by moving the avatar A11 closer to the virtual game cabinet (step S12), the game progression means 234 of the server device 2 accepts the request to play the competitive game (step S24) and transmits data required to start the competitive game to the game device 5 (step S25). As a result, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 of the user U11 executes the competitive game (step S13), and the game progression means 234 of the server device 2 progresses the competitive game (step S26). In the competitive game, the user can compete against a player character operated by another user by operating his / her own player character. Even during the period when the competitive game is being played, the photographing control means 235 continues to automatically acquire images in the metaverse VS that include the avatar A11 operated by the user U11 and that satisfy the conditions shown in a1 to a3 above.

[0074] Thereafter, when the user U11 performs an operation to end the competitive game, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 ends the competitive game (step S14), and the game progress means 234 of the server device 2 also ends the competitive game (step S27). Next, the virtual space control means 233 of the server device 2 transmits data required to start the search game to the game device 5 (step S28). This causes the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 to start the search game again (step S15). This allows the user U11 to explore the metaverse VS again by operating his or her avatar A11.

[0075] Thereafter, when the user U11 operates the game device 5 to log out of the game (step S16), the server device 2 accepts the user U11's logout from the game (step S29). At this time, the shooting control means 235 of the server device 2 ends automatic shooting (step S30). In addition, the image editing means 237 of the server device 2 creates a digest video file (step S31) and transmits the created digest video file to the game device 5 (step S32). This allows the user U11 to operate the game device 5 to view the digest video and upload the acquired digest video file to SNS, etc.

[0076] To sum up, in the system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 23 (computer) of the server device 2 functions as a virtual space control means 233, a shooting control means 235, and a parameter setting means 236. The virtual space control means 233 defines a metaverse VS (virtual space) including an avatar A11 (first avatar) operated by a user U11 (first user), an avatar A30 (second avatar) operated by a user (second user) other than the user U11, and a shooting camera Ca. The shooting control means 235 shoots a predetermined shooting area in the metaverse VS including the avatar A11 and the avatar A30 by the shooting camera Ca. The parameter setting means 236 sets a control parameter that defines a control mode of the shooting camera Ca when shooting the predetermined shooting area based on event information associated with the status of an event occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS.

[0077] <Effects> According to the configuration of the system 1 of the present embodiment, appropriate control parameters are applied to the shooting camera Ca according to the situation of an event occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS, so that more appropriate shooting is possible. Therefore, it is possible to improve the interest in the metaverse VS.

[0078] The above events include an event called a battle game that occurs in association with the battle area S10 of the metaverse VS, and an event called a game viewing that occurs in association with the observation area S11 of the metaverse VS. In this embodiment, the battle area S10 and the observation area S11 of the metaverse VS correspond to a predetermined area in the virtual space. When the avatar A11 and the avatar A12 are located in the battle area S10 and associated with the event called a battle game, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca so that the avatar A11 and the avatar A12 are included. Also, when the avatar A11 and the avatar A30 are located in the observation area S11 and associated with the event called a game viewing, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca so that the avatar A11 and the avatar A30 are included.

[0079] This configuration makes it easier to obtain realistic images suitable for various events, such as an image of the user's avatar A11 competing against another user's avatar A12, or an image of the user's avatar A11 watching a game together with many other avatars A30. When an event occurs in which a predetermined number or more of avatars are present in one observation area S11 in the metaverse VS, the parameter setting means 236 sets control parameters such as the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ by using the number and positions of avatars A30 watching the competitive game other than the avatar A11 of the user U11 as event information. Also, when an event occurs in which a competitive game is being played in the virtual game space GS, the parameter setting means 236 sets control parameters such as the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ by using the number and positions of avatars A30 watching the competitive game as event information.

[0080] This configuration makes it easy to set control parameters such as the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ to appropriate values ​​according to various events. Note that the parameter setting means 236 may set the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on at least one of the number and the position of the avatars A30.

[0081] The control parameters of the photographing camera Ca include a setting parameter that defines whether or not to include in the photographing area Ca11, Ca11 the face of an avatar A12, which is different from the avatar A11 associated with the photographing camera Ca. In this embodiment, the face of the avatar A12 corresponds to a predetermined part of the second avatar.

[0082] According to this configuration, even if one's own avatar enters the shooting area Ca11,Ca11 of the shooting camera Ca associated with another avatar, it is possible to prevent a situation in which one's own avatar's face is unintentionally photographed. The events include a competitive game (first event) occurring in association with a competition area S10 (first area) of the metaverse VS (virtual space) and a game watching (second event) occurring in association with a watching area S11 (second area) of the metaverse VS. When the avatar A11 is located in the competition area S10 and associated with the competitive game, and the avatar A30 is located in the watching area S11 and associated with the game watching, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatar A11 and the avatar A30 are included. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca includes information associated with the game watching situation, specifically, information on the number of avatars A30 watching the competitive game.

[0083] According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a more appropriate image according to the number of avatars A30 present around the avatar A11 operated by the user U11. <First Modification> Next, a first modified example of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0084] When the user U11 is playing a competitive game, the parameter setting means 236 may set the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of the user U11 based on the progress of the competitive game. Specifically, in a competitive game, an event may occur, such as a special move of the player character of the user U11 being hit by the opponent's player character, or an event may occur, such as the competitive game becoming complicated. When an event occurs, such as a special move of the player character of the user U11 being hit by the opponent's player character, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ based on the positions of the multiple avatars A30 watching the competitive game. For example, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the faces of the multiple avatars A30 watching the competitive game are captured.

[0085] In this way, the parameter setting means 236 of this modification uses information associated with the progress of the competitive game as event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a more appropriate image according to the progress of the competitive game.

[0086] <Second Modification> Next, a second modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. The events included in the above condition a1 may include, as an event derived from the Metaverse VS, an event in which a competitive game is being played on another virtual game cabinet located around the virtual game cabinet on which the user is playing the competitive game.

[0087] For example, as shown in Fig. 11, it is assumed that avatars A11 and A12 operated by users U11 and U12, respectively, are playing a battle game in a virtual game cabinet MT11. At this time, if other avatars A15 to A26 are fighting in the other virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17, respectively, the photographing control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied, and takes an image including the avatar A11 of the user U11 and the avatar A12 of the user U12, for example, by the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of the user U11. Note that rectangular areas S22 to S27 shown in Fig. 11 indicate battle areas set in the virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17, respectively.

[0088] On the other hand, when an event occurs that a competitive game is being played on another virtual game cabinet, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on event information associated with the status of the event. The parameter setting means 236 uses the number and positions of competitive games being played within a predetermined area S13 centered on the virtual game cabinet MT11 where the user U11 is playing the competitive game, as event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca. Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17 where the competitive games are being played are captured as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when there are many virtual game cabinets where competitive games are being played, the parameter setting means 236 sets the angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca to a large value, thereby setting the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatars A14 to A17 in the competitive game are included in the shooting areas Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca as much as possible.

[0089] 12, when a battle game is being played only on the virtual game cabinet MT12 among the virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17 present in the area S13, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the virtual game cabinet MT12 where the battle game is being played is captured as much as possible. For example, the parameter setting means 236 moves the photographing camera Ca closer to the avatar A11, and sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the avatars A15 and A16 playing the battle game on the virtual game cabinet MT12 are captured.

[0090] In this manner, the events of the system 1 of this modification include a fighting game (first event) occurring in association with the fighting area S10 (first area) of the metaverse VS (virtual space), and other fighting games (second events) occurring in association with the fighting areas S22 to S27 (multiple second areas) of the metaverse VS. When the avatar A11 is located in the fighting area S10 and associated with the fighting game in the fighting area S10, and the avatars A15 to A26 are located in the fighting areas S22 to S27 and associated with the fighting games in the fighting areas S22 to S27, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatar A11 and the avatars A14 to A17 are included as much as possible. Other fighting games may occur in each of the multiple fighting areas S22 to S27 of the metaverse VS. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca further includes information on the number of fighting games being executed in the fighting areas S22 to S27.

[0091] This configuration makes it possible to obtain a photogenic image in which a competitive game appears to be taking place around the avatar A11 operated by the user U11. <Third Modification> Next, a third modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 13, in the metaverse VS of this modification, a special area S30 is installed near the virtual game cabinet MT11. FIG. 13 shows a situation in which avatars A11 and A12 are playing a battle game in the virtual game cabinet MT11. The special area S30 is a place where, for example, after the battle game is over, the avatars A50 and A51 who compete against each other can take a commemorative photo. The commemorative photo is taken, for example, by manual or automatic photography using a photographing camera Cb associated with the avatar A50. FIG. 14 shows an example of an image IM11 taken by the photographing camera Cb. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, various panels P10 to P12 related to the battle game are installed in the special area S30, and the panels P10 to P12 are photographed together with the avatars A50 and A51.

[0093] In addition, when automatically capturing images by the capturing camera Cb in the special area S30, it may be unnatural if the avatars A50 to A52 are shown looking at the camera in the captured image. Therefore, in the case of automatic capturing, the capturing camera Cb may be controlled so that the line of sight of the avatars A50 and A51 is shifted from the line of sight of the capturing camera Cb.

[0094] In this modified example, when other avatars A50 and A51 take a commemorative photo in the special area S30 near the avatar A11, the photography control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied, and captures an image including the avatars A11 and A12 using the photography camera Ca associated with the avatar A11.

[0095] On the other hand, when an event occurs in which a commemorative photograph is taken in the special area S30, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on event information associated with the situation of the event. The parameter setting means 236 uses the position and number of the spectating avatar A30 existing in the spectating area S11 of the virtual game cabinet MT11 in which the user is playing the fighting game, and the positions of the avatars A50, A51 taking the commemorative photograph in the special area S30, as event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca. Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca in a manner as shown in FIG. 13 so that the spectating avatar A30 is captured as much as possible, and the avatars A50, A51 taking the commemorative photograph are captured. Considering that there may be users who do not want to have unintentional photographs of avatars A50 and A51 taking commemorative photographs taken, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the avatars A50 and A51 taking the commemorative photographs are captured from a distance.

[0096] Thus, the event of this modification includes a battle game (first event) occurring in association with the battle area S10 (first area) of the metaverse VS (virtual space) and a commemorative photo shoot (second event) occurring in association with the special area S30 (second area) of the metaverse VS. When the avatar A11 is located in the battle area S10 and associated with the battle game, and the avatars A50 and A51 are located in the special area S30 and associated with the commemorative photo shoot, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatar A11 and the avatars A50 and A51 are included when the avatar A11 is located in the battle area S10 and associated with the battle game, and the avatars A50 and A51 are located in the special area S30 and associated with the commemorative photo shoot. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca includes information associated with the situation of the commemorative photo shoot, specifically, information such as the positions of the avatars A50 and A51 taking the commemorative photo shoot.

[0097] According to this configuration, the avatars A50 and A51 taking the commemorative photo can be included in the photographing area, making it possible to obtain a more photogenic image. <Fourth Modification> Next, a fourth modified example of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0098] The photographing conditions when the user's avatar is photographed by the photographing camera Ca associated with another avatar may include conditions related to the avatar's emote in addition to conditions related to the user's avatar's face. The photographing conditions related to the avatar's emote include conditions for making the avatar perform an action that expresses the user's feelings, such as making the avatar jump or making a cheer pose. For example, the user U12 can set a condition such as jumping as a photographing condition related to the emote of the user's avatar A12 by operating the game device 5. In this case, the virtual space control means 233 automatically makes the avatar A12 of the user U12 jump when the photographing is performed by the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of a user U11 other than the user U12, while the avatar A12 is included in the photographing area Ca11,Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca.

[0099] The emotes executed by the avatar A12 may be individually set for each event. For example, in a competitive game, there are events such as "a player character's special move is decided in the competitive game" and "the situation is complicated in the final round of the competitive game". Therefore, the user U12 can set an emote of jumping for the former event and an emote of performing a troubled motion for the latter event by operating the game device 5. In this case, the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of the user U11 watching the competitive game takes a photograph when the event "a player character's special move is decided in the competitive game" occurs. During the photographing, the virtual space control means 233 causes the avatar A12 of the user U12 to perform an emote of jumping corresponding to the event "a player character's special move is decided in the competitive game".

[0100] In this way, the virtual space control means 233 of this modified example determines the display mode of the avatar A12 in the metaverse VS based on the emote information (setting information) set for the avatar A12 (second avatar) by the user U12 (second user). According to this configuration, when one's own avatar is included in the shooting area Ca11, Ca11 of the shooting camera Ca associated with another user's avatar, one can have one's own avatar automatically perform an emote action corresponding to an event in the competitive game, making it possible to obtain a more realistic image.

[0101] <Fifth Modification> Next, a fifth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, when an image is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 while the avatar A11 is watching a competitive game, the avatar A30 watching the game appears in the captured image. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, when an image is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 while the avatar A11 is playing a competitive game, the avatar A30 watching the game appears in the captured image. In the system 1 of this modification, the display mode of the avatar A30 in the image taken in the situation shown in Fig. 7 and the display mode of the avatar A30 in the image taken in the situation shown in Fig. 8 can be set separately.

[0102] Specifically, the user U11 can set whether or not to display the face of the other avatar A30 being watched in an image captured in the situation shown in FIG. 7, i.e., a situation where the user is watching a competitive game, by operating the game device 5. The user U11 can also set whether or not to display the face of the other avatar A30 being watched in an image captured in the situation shown in FIG. 8, i.e., a situation where the user is playing a competitive game, by operating the game device 5. The parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 based on the display setting information of the watching avatar A30 set by the user U11. For example, when the watching avatar A30 is set not to show its face, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the shooting camera Ca so that the face of the avatar A30 is not captured as much as possible. Alternatively, the parameter setting means 236 instructs the image capture control means 235 to perform pixelization on the face of the avatar A30 being watched, or to erase the entire avatar A30 from the image.

[0103] In this manner, the parameter setting means 236 of this modified example further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on whether the user U11 (first user) is a player or a spectator of the competitive game. With this configuration, it is possible to change the display mode of the avatar A30 during the spectating in the image captured by the photographing camera Ca according to the preferences of the user U11.

[0104] <Sixth Modification> Next, a sixth modified example of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of the above embodiment, when an avatar A11 is watching a competitive game on a virtual game cabinet MT11 as shown in FIG. 15, for example, if an image is captured by a camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the captured image may include the avatar A30 and the avatars A60 and A61 in addition to the avatars A40 and A41 playing the competitive game on the virtual game cabinet MT11. The avatar A30 is an avatar watching the virtual game cabinet MT11. The avatars A60 and A61 are avatars playing a competitive game on another game cabinet MT12. In the system 1 of this modification, when an image is captured by a camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the display mode of the avatar A30 and the display mode of the avatars A60 and A61 in the captured image can be set individually.

[0105] Specifically, the user U11 can set whether or not to display the face of the other avatar A30 who is watching the game in the image captured by the camera Ca by operating his / her own game device 5. The user U11 can also set whether or not to display the faces of the avatars A60, A61 who are playing the other fighting games in the image captured by the camera Ca by operating his / her own game device 5. The parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 based on the display setting information of the avatars A30, A60, A61 set by the user U11. For example, when the avatar A30 who is watching the game is set not to show its face, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ of the camera Ca so that the face of the avatar A30 is not captured. In addition, when the avatars A60, A61 playing the competitive game are set to show their faces, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the faces of the avatars A60, A61 are captured.

[0106] When the parameter setting means 236 is set so as not to capture the faces of the avatars A30, A60, and A61, the parameter setting means 236 may instruct the photography control means 235 to perform pixelization on the faces of the avatars A30, A60, and A61 or to erase the entire avatars A30, A60, and A61 from the image.

[0107] In this manner, the parameter setting means 236 of this modified example further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on whether the users (second users) operating the avatars A30, A60, A61 are players or spectators of the fighting game. With this configuration, it is possible to change the display modes of the avatars A30, A60, A61 in the images captured by the photographing camera Ca to suit the preferences of the user U11.

[0108] <Seventh Modification> Next, a seventh modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of this modified example, the user can select from a plurality of image files acquired by the shooting control means 235 to create a digest movie file.

[0109] Specifically, after the user U11 logs out of the game, the display control means 564 of the game device 5 in this modified example displays a video creation screen 70 as shown in Fig. 16 on the display 61 of the game device 5. As shown in Fig. 16, the video creation screen 70 is provided with a creation condition display area 71, a timeline display area 72, and an image selection area 73.

[0110] Conditions for a digest movie file are displayed in the creation condition display area 71. The conditions displayed in the creation condition display area 71 are, for example, conditions for a movie file that can be uploaded to an SNS. In the timeline display area 72, the timeline of the user U11 in the metaverse VS and the exploration game is displayed by a line segment 720. The left end of the line segment 720 indicates the time when the user logged in to the game. The right end of the line segment 720 indicates the time when the user logged out of the game. Each section surrounded by a rectangular frame 721a to 721c on the line segment 720 indicates the time period during which the user U11 played the battle game. In the timeline display area 72, a plurality of arrows 722a to 722e extending from the bottom to the top toward the line segment 720 and scene information 723a to 723e associated with the arrows 722a to 722e are displayed. The arrows 722a to 722e indicate the timing when an image was acquired by the shooting control means 235 on the line segment 720. The scene information 723a to 723e indicates the situation of the metaverse VS when the image was acquired by the shooting control means 235. The scene information 723a to 723e are acquired from metadata information associated with the image file acquired by the photography control means 235. The "exploration inside the venue" scene information 723a and 723d show a situation in which the avatar A11 is exploring the metaverse VS. The "audience gets excited" scene information 723b shows a situation in which the avatar A30 watching the match gets excited after the player character executes a special move in a match game. The "post-match interaction" scene information 723c and 723e show a situation in which a commemorative photo is taken between the avatar A11 of the user U11 and the avatar of the competing user in the special area S30 as shown in FIG. 13.

[0111] The image selection area 73 displays video information for each scene acquired by the shooting control means 235. For example, when scene information 723a for "searching inside the venue" is selected with a finger icon 74 as shown in Fig. 16, the image selection area 73 displays video icons 731a to 731c corresponding to the multiple video files acquired by the shooting control means 235 for that scene, respectively, and selection buttons 732a to 732c corresponding to the video icons 731 to 733, respectively.

[0112] The user U11 can view the video files corresponding to the video icons 731a to 731c by tapping the video icons 731a to 731c. Each of the video icons 731a to 731c indicates whether the corresponding video was captured automatically or manually.

[0113] The selection buttons 732a to 732c are buttons that are operated when selecting videos to be included in the digest video. For example, when the user U11 taps the selection button 732a, the video icon 731a is selected. FIG. 16 illustrates a case where the video icon 731a is selected and the video icons 731b and 731c are not selected. In this case, the video file corresponding to the video icon 731a is included in the digest video.

[0114] The image editing means 237 creates a digest movie file by joining together one or more movie files selected by the user in this manner. This configuration makes it easy to create a digest movie according to the preferences of the user U11 from a plurality of movie files that have been automatically or manually captured by the capture control means 235.

[0115] <Eighth Modification> Next, an eighth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of this modified example, an image to be used in a digest movie is created by combining an image in the Metaverse VS with an image from a fighting game.

[0116] For this purpose, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the control unit 23 of the server device 2 further includes an image acquisition unit 238 and a synthesis unit 239. The image acquisition means 238 acquires an image of the battle game when a predetermined event occurs in the battle game. The event occurring in the battle game is the same or similar to the above condition a1. Therefore, the image acquisition means 238 and the photography control means 235 acquire an image of the battle game and an image of the metaverse VS at the same or similar timing, respectively.

[0117] The synthesis means 239 creates a synthetic image by synthesizing the image of the fighting game and the image of the Metaverse VS, which are respectively acquired at the same or similar timing by the image acquisition means 238 and the photography control means 235. Fig. 17 shows an example of the synthetic image IM12. As shown in Fig. 17, in the synthetic image IM12, the image IM121 of the Metaverse VS is embedded in the upper left of the image IM120 of the fighting game.

[0118] In this manner, in the system 1 of this modified example, the photographing control means 235 photographs a predetermined photographing area in the metaverse VS (first virtual space) including the avatar A11 (first avatar) and the avatar A30 (second avatar) with the photographing camera Ca to obtain an image IM121 (first image) of the metaverse VS. The system 1 further includes an image acquiring means 238 and a synthesis means 239. The image acquiring means 238 acquires an image IM120 (second image) of the virtual game space GS when a predetermined event (second event) occurs in the virtual game space GS (second virtual space) of the fighting game. The synthesis means 239 synthesizes the image IM120 of the virtual game space GS and the image IM121 of the metaverse VS.

[0119] In the composite image IM12, for example, it is possible to simultaneously view the state of the battle game when the player character's special move is executed in the battle game and the state in the metaverse VS at that time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more photogenic image. In particular, when the avatars in the metaverse VS perform emotes according to the progress of the battle game as in the system 1 of the fourth modified example, an image of a large number of avatars performing emotes is used as the image of the metaverse VS in the frame 60 of the composite image IM12. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more realistic image.

[0120] [Other embodiments] The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0121] Games played in the virtual game space GS are not limited to competitive games, but may be any type of game, such as an action game, a shooting game, a role-playing game, a simulation game, a board game, or a puzzle game. When the metaverse VS is photographed by the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, there may be a plurality of emotes that can be automatically executed by the other avatar A12 included in the photographing area. In this case, the avatar A12 may execute any one of the plurality of emotes depending on the situation when photographing is performed by the photographing camera Ca associated with the other avatar A11. For example, it is assumed that there are a plurality of emotes, such as an emote that makes the avatar A12 jump and an emote that makes the avatar A12 make a peace sign. In this case, when the situation when photographing is performed by the photographing camera Ca associated with the other avatar A11, the user U11 operating the avatar A11 is playing a competitive game in a lively manner, the virtual space control means 233 causes the avatar A12 to execute an action appropriate to the situation, such as an action of jumping.

[0122] When capturing an image including the avatars A11 and A12 playing a game, if another avatar A33 watching the game enters the line of sight Ca10 of the capturing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 8, the parameter setting means 236 may automatically move the avatar A33 from the line of sight Ca10 of the capturing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 18, for example. Alternatively, a process may be executed to make the avatar A33 shown in Fig. 8 transparent within the image. This makes it possible to capture a more appropriate image in which the avatar A33 does not overlap the avatar A31.

[0123] In the image captured by the camera Ca, the face of the user operating the avatar may be displayed instead of the face of the avatar. In the above embodiment, the game device 5 is a smartphone. However, the game device 5 may be an amusement machine provided in a game center or the like.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the server device 2 and the multiple game devices 5 are integrated to function as a game program, but the present invention is not limited to this. All of the means of the game program may be provided in the server device 2 alone, the game device 5 alone, a communication terminal separate from the server device 2 and the game device 5 alone, or two of these devices that can be combined (e.g., distributed processing in the server device 2 and the game device 5). In addition, when the server device 2, the game device 5, and the communication terminals are integrated to function, it is possible to appropriately change which means are to be operated by which device.

[0125] Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present embodiment are exhibited. In addition, the present embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be appropriately combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1: system, 5: game device (terminal device), 23: control unit (computer), 233: virtual space control means (virtual space control unit), 235: shooting control means (shooting control unit), 236: parameter setting means (parameter setting unit), 238: image acquisition means, 239: synthesis means.

Claims

1. Computer, a virtual space control means for defining a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an image capturing control means for capturing an image of a predetermined image capturing area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar, using the image capturing camera; and a parameter setting means for setting a control parameter that defines a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space. program.

2. The event occurs in association with a predetermined area of ​​the virtual space; The parameter setting means sets the control parameters so as to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar and the second avatar are located within the predetermined area and associated with the event. The program according to claim 1.

3. The event information includes at least one of information on the number and the positions of the second avatars located within the predetermined area. The program according to claim 2.

4. The control parameters include a setting parameter that defines whether or not a predetermined part of the second avatar is to be included in the predetermined shooting area. The program according to claim 1.

5. the events include a first event occurring in association with a first area of ​​the virtual space, and a second event occurring in association with a second area of ​​the virtual space; the parameter setting means sets the control parameters to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar is located in the first area and associated with the first event, and the second avatar is located in the second area and associated with the second event; The event information includes information associated with a status of the second event. The program according to claim 1.

6. The second event may occur in each of a plurality of second areas in the virtual space, The event information further includes information on the number of the second events. The program according to claim 5.

7. The virtual space is a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are disposed; a second virtual space different from the first virtual space; The event occurs in the second virtual space. The program according to claim 1.

8. the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area of ​​the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information is information associated with the progress of the game. The program according to claim 7.

9. The parameter setting means further sets the control parameters based on whether the first user is a player or a spectator of the game. The program according to claim 8.

10. The parameter setting means further sets the control parameters based on whether the second user is a player or a spectator of the game. The program according to claim 8.

11. When the event is a first event, the imaging control means acquires a first image by imaging a predetermined imaging area in the first virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The computer, an image acquisition means for acquiring a second image, which is an image of the second virtual space, when a second event occurs in the second virtual space; and a synthesizing means for synthesizing the first image and the second image. The program according to claim 7.

12. The virtual space control means determines a display mode of the second avatar in the virtual space based on setting information set for the second avatar by the second user. The program according to claim 1.

13. a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; a parameter setting unit that sets a control parameter that defines a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space. Terminal device.

14. a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; a parameter setting unit that sets a control parameter that defines a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space. system.

Images