Video distribution system, computer program used for the same, and control method

Abstract

To provide a video distribution system capable of providing a user of a video display terminal with information for assisting in a relationship between a play situation of a common game and at least partial users related to the play situation.SOLUTION: A video distribution system 1 generates play video 70 obtained by combining multiple pieces of photographed video 60 obtained by photographing each of multiple players P who play a common game via multiple game machines 3 and a game screen 50 of a common game so as to be distributed to a user terminal device 4 connected via a network NT. Concretely, the video distribution system 1 determines a play situation of at least the partial players P on the basis of situation data CD for relating a user ID and a play situation in a common game. Then, the video distribution system 1 generates distribution data DD for displaying the play video 70 for displaying photographed video 60 of the partial players P in a display mode for showing a play situation on a user terminal device 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a video distribution system that generates gameplay footage that combines multiple captured images of multiple users playing a common game via one or more game machines and the game screen of the common game, for distribution to a video display terminal connected via a network. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a video distribution system that generates a play video, which is a combination of a plurality of shot videos of a plurality of users playing a common game through one or a plurality of game machines, and a game screen of the common game, in order to distribute the play video to a video display terminal connected through a network. For example, a game system in which a player video, a game video, and a video for posting function as such shot videos, game screens, and play videos, respectively, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, Patent Document 2 is another prior art document related to the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-64161 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-46877 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, the video to be posted includes not only the game video but also the player video. However, information indicating the relationship between the player video and the play situation in the game video is not included. On the other hand, when the same game is played by multiple players, the video to be posted may include multiple player videos corresponding to the multiple players. In such a case, it may be difficult to grasp the relationship between the play situation on the game screen and the multiple players. In particular, when a game is played by multiple players, this possibility increases because the game video may include various situations through the play of each player. Specifically, for example, when a goal is scored in a soccer game in which five players compete against each other, it is difficult to grasp the relationship between the goal (play situation) and the player who scored the goal.

[0005] On the other hand, in the system of Patent Document 2, game data showing the game situation is transmitted together with video data for displaying the game screen, and score levels and the like are superimposed and displayed on the viewing side's game screen based on the game data. However, in this system, the video of the users playing the game is not displayed on the viewing side's game screen. In addition, there is no disclosure of the problem that it may become difficult to grasp the relationship between the playing situation and multiple users.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a video distribution system etc. that can provide users of a video display terminal with information that assists in the play status of a common game and relationships with at least some of the users related to that play status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The video distribution system of the present invention is a video distribution system that generates play footage that combines multiple captured images of multiple users playing a common game via one or more game machines and game screens of the common game, for distribution to a video display terminal connected via a network, and is equipped with a situation determination means that determines the play situations of at least some of the multiple users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data that associates each play situation in the common game of the user corresponding to the user identification information, and a data generation means that generates play video data for displaying, as the play footage, situation-attached play footage on the video display terminal, in which user identification images, prepared separately from the game screen as images for identifying the some of the users, are displayed in a display mode that indicates the play situation.

[0008] Further, a computer program according to the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to the video display terminal via the network to function as each of the means of the video distribution system described above.

[0009] The control method of the present invention causes a computer incorporated in a video distribution system that generates play footage combining multiple captured images of multiple users playing a common game through one or more game machines and game screens of the common game to be distributed to a video display terminal connected via a network, the computer executing a situation determination procedure for determining the play situations of at least some of the multiple users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data that associates each play situation in the common game of the user corresponding to the user identification information, and a data generation procedure for generating play video data for displaying, as the play footage, on the video display terminal a situation-attached play video that displays a user identification image, which is prepared separately from the game screen as an image for identifying the some of the users, in a display mode that indicates the play situation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a gameplay video distribution service. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the second embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of each system built in a video distribution system according to a first embodiment for providing a gameplay video distribution service. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main part of a control system of the video distribution system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of situation data. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of video data. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of a gameplay video distribution service in the video distribution system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a video generation process. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of each system constructed in a video distribution system according to a second embodiment for providing a gameplay video distribution service. [Figure 18]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of a gameplay video distribution service in the video distribution system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of a video distribution system according to the present invention will be described below. First, the overall configuration of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the video distribution system 1 includes a server 2. A game machine 3, a camera CA, and a user terminal device 4 are connected to the server 2 via a network NT.

[0012] As an example, the server 2 is configured as a logical server system in which a plurality of server units 2A, 2B, ... (hereinafter sometimes represented by reference symbol 2) are combined. The server units 2 may be installed collectively at a specific location on the network NT, or may be installed in a distributed manner on the network NT using cloud computing to configure a so-called cloud-type server system. The network NT may be configured appropriately as long as the game machine 3, the camera CA, and the user terminal device 4 can be communicatively connected to the server 2. As an example, the network NT includes the Internet as a WAN, and various connection facilities or devices such as a LAN or an access point AP that connects each of the server 2, the game machine 3, the camera CA, and the user terminal device 4 to the Internet.

[0013] The game machine 3 is a game device that provides a game to a user. The game machine 3 may include various game devices (computer devices) that provide a game. For example, when a user terminal device 4 provides a game, the game machine 3 may include such a user terminal device 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the game machine 3A and the game machine 3B are shown. The game machine 3A is installed in a facility such as an amusement store, and is configured as a commercial game machine (device) that allows a user (hereinafter, a user who plays a game may be called a player) to play a game in exchange for collecting (consumption) a predetermined fee. This type of game machine is sometimes called an arcade game machine. On the other hand, the game machine 3B is a type of game machine that belongs to the user terminal device 4. The game machine 3B may be realized appropriately through various user terminal devices 4, but in the example of FIG. 1, it is configured as a stationary home game machine. The game machine 3 is not limited to a form including multiple types of game devices, and may be configured, for example, of only one type of game device.

[0014] The user terminal device 4 is an example of a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for the user's personal use (used individually). For example, a mobile terminal device 4A such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a portable tablet terminal device 4B, or a stationary or notebook personal computer (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a PC) 4C is used as such a user terminal device 4. The user terminal device 4 provides various services in conjunction with the execution of software (applications), and such services include the viewing of videos (images). In other words, the user terminal device 4 functions as an image display terminal for displaying various images in conjunction with the execution of a specific application. Note that the application may be provided to the user terminal device 4 as appropriate. For example, it may be provided from the server 2 via the network NT, or it may be provided via a storage medium or the like.

[0015] The camera CA is a well-known device (optical device) that captures video. The camera CA may be appropriately installed to capture various types of video, but as an example, the camera CA is installed to capture a user playing a game on the game machine 3. The camera CA may be configured appropriately as long as it can capture a user playing a game, and may be provided as a part of the game machine 3 or provided independently of the game machine 3. Similarly, the camera CA may be configured as a network device (a so-called IOT device) and may be directly connected to the network NT, or may be indirectly connected to the network NT via various computer devices (including the game machine 3). The camera CA may be configured appropriately in this way, but the following describes a case where the camera CA is provided in the game machine 3B and connected to the network NT via the game machine 3B (computer device).

[0016] The server 2 provides various services for the game machine to the game machine 3 or its user. The services for the game machine may include various services for the game machine 3 as appropriate, and include a status distribution service as an example. The status distribution service is a service for distributing the play status of a game played on the game machine 3 to the user terminal device 4. The services for the game machine may also include, as appropriate, a distribution service that distributes and updates the program or data of the game machine 3 via the network NT, a service that receives user identification information and authenticates the user, a matching service that matches users when multiple users play a common game via the network NT, or a billing service that collects fees from users.

[0017] Similarly, the server 2 provides various Web services to the user terminal device 4 or its user via the network NT. The Web services may include various services for the user terminal device 4 as appropriate, but include a video distribution service that distributes various videos to the user terminal device 4 functioning as a video display terminal. The various videos include gameplay videos including game screens of the games provided by the game machine 3. The video distribution service may be provided alone or in combination with other appropriate services, but as an example, when gameplay videos are distributed, they are provided in combination with (or as part of) a situation distribution service. Note that the Web services may also include other services as appropriate, such as a game information service that provides various information about the games provided by the game machine 3, a distribution service that distributes various data or software (including updates of data, etc.) to each user terminal device 4, a community service that provides a place for users to communicate, such as to transmit, exchange, and share information, and a service that assigns a user ID to identify each user.

[0018] A video distribution service in which gameplay video is distributed (hereinafter, may be referred to as gameplay video distribution service) will be further described with reference to Fig. 2. As described above, various game machines 3 and user terminal devices 4 may be applied to the video distribution system 1, but the following describes, as an example, a game machine 3B (hereinafter, may be referred to as a home game machine 3B) and a book-type PC 4C used as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4, respectively.

[0019] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a gameplay video distribution service. The example of Fig. 2 shows a gameplay video distribution service provided in combination with a situation distribution service. As shown in Fig. 2, in the video distribution system, gameplay video 70, which is a combination of a game screen 50 displayed on each home game machine 3B and a captured video 60 corresponding to the shooting result of each camera CA, is distributed to each book-type PC 4C through the gameplay video distribution service, and information that associates a player P playing each home game machine 3B with the playing situation of the player P is added to the gameplay video 70.

[0020] Specifically, one or more appropriate numbers of home game machines 3B (game machines 3) and book-type PCs 4C (user terminal devices 4) may be connected to the video distribution system 1, and the numbers may be the same or different (they may be associated or not associated), but in the example of FIG. 2, three home game machines 3B and three book-type PCs 4C are connected. Each home game machine 3B may be used to play a game by an appropriate number of players P, and may be shared by multiple players P to play a common game, but in the example of FIG. 2, the three home game machines 3B are used by three players P, the first player P1 to the third player P3. That is, each home game machine 3B is used by one player P.

[0021] Each home game machine 3B may be provided with an appropriate number of cameras CA according to the number of players, and multiple cameras CA may be provided on one home game machine 3B. In the example of FIG. 2, one camera CA is provided on each home game machine 3B. Each camera CA captures a player P playing each home game machine 3B. For this reason, the three cameras CA capture three captured images 60, the first captured image 60A to the third captured image 60C, corresponding to the first player P1 to the third player P3, respectively. In this example, the three captured images 60, the first captured image 60A to the third captured image 60C, function as the multiple captured images of the present invention.

[0022] The first player P1 to the third player P3 play a common game through each home game machine 3B. That is, each home game machine 3B provides the same game that progresses in common between the three players P1 to P3. Such a game may be appropriately configured as long as it progresses in common, and is often configured to be played simultaneously, but may be configured to progress even outside of play time, for example, in a simulation game or the like including a character (including an object such as a car) that progresses the game even outside of play time according to a specific instruction. In any case, the common game includes elements related to each of the three players P1 to P3. Such elements are often characters corresponding to each player P as a play object, but may include elements that are not related to the progress of play, such as a background image or color. In addition, various games such as an action game, a role-playing game, or a simulation game may be appropriately used as the common game, but in the example of FIG. 2, a racing game of a type belonging to an action game is provided. More specifically, each home game machine 3B provides a type of racing game in which players compete for ranking by driving their cars (characters) to the finish line, including a car operated by each player P. In this example, three players P, a first player P1 to a third player P3, function as a plurality of users of the present invention.

[0023] Each home game machine 3B displays a game screen 50 for playing a racing game (a common game). The game screens 50 may be the same or different among the three home game machines 3B, but are different in the example of FIG. 2. Specifically, the home game machine 3B played by the first player P1 displays a single-player game screen 50A (a game screen 50 for operating a car operated by the first player P1, as an example), and the home game machine 3B played by the second player and the home game machine 3B played by the third player both display the same two-player game screen 50B (a game screen 50 shared for operating both a car operated by the second player P2 and a car operated by the third player P3, as an example). In other words, the game screens 50 are partly the same among the three home game machines 3B, and partly different.

[0024] The three home game consoles 3B play a common game through game screens 50 such as the single-player game screen 50A, and the play status is provided to the server 2 through a status distribution service. That is, the three home game consoles 3B transmit the play status of the three players P, the first player P1 to the third player P3, to the server 2 through the status distribution service. Similarly, the three home game consoles 3B also transmit the three photographed videos 60, the first photographed video 60A to the third photographed video 60C, to the server 2. This transmission may function as a service separate from the status distribution service, but is executed as a part of the status distribution service, for example. In addition, in the status distribution service, the transmission of the play status and the transmission of the photographed video 60 may be executed simultaneously, but are executed separately, for example.

[0025] On the other hand, drawing of the game screen 50 (in other words, generation of image data for displaying the game screen 50) may be executed in each home game console 3B, in which case the game screen 50 (image data for displaying it) may be provided from each home game console 3B to the server 2 (for example, via a status distribution service), but as an example, the game screen 50 is drawn in the server 2 and provided to each home game console 3B. In this case, acquisition of the game screen 50 from each home game console 3B may be omitted.

[0026] Following the situation distribution service, a play video distribution service is provided. The play video distribution service may be configured as appropriate, but includes a video editing procedure and a video distribution procedure as an example. The video editing procedure is a procedure for editing (generating) the play video 70 based on the play situation of each player P, the shot video 60, and the game screen 50. In the video editing procedure, in addition to the shot video 60 and the game screen 50, the play video 70 including information on the play situation is edited. In the play video 70, the information on the play situation may be displayed as appropriate, but as an example, a player (user) identification image for identifying some of the players P is displayed in a display mode indicating the play situation so as to show the play situation of at least some of the players P among the three players P. This display mode may be appropriate, and some will be described later, but in the example of FIG. 2, the shot video 60 of each player P is configured to be displayed in association with an information image CI indicating the ranking (play situation) of each player P. That is, the photographed video 60 is used as a player identification image, and the photographed video 60 is displayed in a manner associated with information on the ranking of each player P through an information image CI. In this example, the three players P, the first player P1 to the third player P3, function as at least some of the users (all users) of the present invention. Also, the play video 70 functions as a situation-added play video of the present invention.

[0027] The play video 70 may be appropriately combined with various game screens 50. For example, the play video 70 may be combined with a single-player game screen 50A or a two-player game screen 50B. Alternatively, both of them may be combined, or a game screen 50 other than these may be combined. A game screen 50 other than the single-player game screen 50A and the two-player game screen 50B may appropriately include various game screens 50, such as a game screen 50 that is displayed only when a specific operation is performed, a game screen 50 that corresponds to a car in the single-player game screen 50A viewed from above, or a game screen 50 that corresponds to another field of view in the play field. Furthermore, a plurality of play videos 70 corresponding to the play of one game may be generated for each of these various game screens 50, or one play video 70 in which these game screens 50 are appropriately switched may be generated. In this way, the gameplay image 70 may be combined with an appropriate game screen 50 (including a game screen 50 to which various processing has been added), but in the example of FIG. 2, a single-player game screen 50A is combined with the gameplay image 70.

[0028] Similarly, various kinds of captured images 60 (including captured images 60 with various processing added) may be appropriately combined with the gameplay video 70. For example, the gameplay video 70 may be combined with captured images 60 (including still images) captured before the gameplay (before the gameplay in the previous gameplay, or before the current gameplay, including during the gameplay), but as an example, captured images 60 (video images) captured in accordance with the progress of the gameplay (captured in parallel with the current gameplay) are combined. As such captured images 60, for example, the gameplay video 70 combined with the single-player game screen 50A may display only the first captured image 60A (the captured image 60 of the first player P1 playing through the single-player game screen 50A), and the gameplay video 70 combined with the two-player game screen 50B may display only the second captured image 60B and the third captured image 60C (the captured images 60 corresponding to the two players P1 playing through the two-player game screen 50B). In other words, the gameplay video 70 may be combined (displayed) with only the shot videos 60 corresponding to some of the players P according to the game screens 50 included therein. In this way, the gameplay video 70 may be combined with appropriate shot videos 60, but in the example of FIG. 2, the shot videos 60 of all the players P are displayed regardless of the game screens 50 included therein. As an example, the server 2 edits (generates) such gameplay video 70 in a video editing procedure. In this example, the three shot videos 60, the first shot video 60A to the third shot video 60C, function as some of the shot videos of the present invention.

[0029] The video distribution procedure is a procedure for distributing the gameplay video 70 edited in the video editing procedure to a book-type PC4C. In the gameplay video distribution service, various types of gameplay videos 70 may be prepared, such as multiple gameplay videos 70 corresponding to one play, or multiple gameplay videos 70 corresponding to multiple plays (including the case of multiple types of games). For this reason, in the video distribution procedure, the gameplay videos 70 may be distributed appropriately, but in the example of FIG. 2, the same gameplay video 70 is distributed to all book-type PC4Cs (since similar gameplay videos 70 are distributed, in the example of FIG. 2, the display of the gameplay video 70 is omitted in some book-type PC4Cs). As an example, a gameplay video distribution service is realized through such a video production procedure and video distribution procedure.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 10, a description will be given of a plurality of play video 70 forms corresponding to a plurality of modes in which a player identification image (user identification image) indicates a play situation. The examples of FIG. 3 to FIG. 10 each show a case in which a common game is played by sixteen players P. The examples of FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 show a case in which a racing game similar to the example of FIG. 2 is played as a common game, and the examples of FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 show a case in which a shooting game (a type of action game) called a first person shooter game (so-called FPS) is played as the common game. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a play video 70A according to the first mode. The play video 70 is configured as the play video 70A according to the first mode when the player identification image indicates the play situation by displaying the player identification image in association with an information image CI indicating the play situation. The example of FIG. 3 shows a case in which the player identification image is displayed as the play situation in a mode indicating the ranking of the race game. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the play video 70A according to the first mode includes a game screen area 71 and a captured video area 72.

[0031] The game screen area 71 is an area where the game screen 50 is displayed. As described above, various game screens 50 may be displayed in the game screen area 71, and in the example of FIG. 3, the single-player game screen 50A in the example of FIG. 2 is displayed. The photographed video area 72 is an area where the photographed video 60 is displayed. As described above, various photographed videos 60 may be displayed appropriately in the photographed video area 72, and in the example of FIG. 3, sixteen photographed videos 60 corresponding to the sixteen players P playing a common game, that is, the photographed videos 60 of all the players P, are displayed as photographed videos 60 (moving images) photographed in parallel by the camera CA in accordance with the progress of the game. In addition, these photographed videos 60 may be arranged appropriately in the photographed video area 72, and in the example of FIG. 4, they are arranged in a matrix (grid) of four rows and four columns.

[0032] The player identification image is an image prepared separately from the game screen 50. For example, the game screen 50 may display information such as the name of each player P in association with a character such as a car, but the player identification image is prepared separately from the game screen 50 as an image to be added when the play video 70 is distributed. The player identification image may include various images as appropriate as long as each player P can be identified. For example, an image (either a still image or a video) taken separately from the photographed video 60 may be included, or an appropriate sign using various identification information such as the name, symbol, character, or picture of each player P may be included. In this way, various images may be applied (used) as appropriate as the player identification image, but the photographed video 60 is used in the play video 70A according to the first form. For this reason, an information image CI indicating the play situation is further displayed in the photographed video area 72.

[0033] The information image CI may be displayed so as to be associated with all players P, or may be displayed so as to be limited to an appropriate portion of players P. In the example of FIG. 3, the information image CI is displayed so as to be limited to the top three players P (as an example, the range of players who win prizes). In other words, the information image CI is displayed only in three photographed images 60 corresponding to the top three players P, so that only the rankings (playing situations) of the players P up to the top three out of the sixteen players P are shown. Specifically, the information image CI is displayed so as to be associated only with three photographed images 60 located in the second column from the left in the top row, the second column from the left in the third row from the top, and the right end of the third row in the photographed image area 72.

[0034] The information image CI may be appropriately configured according to various play situations to be shown, but in the example of FIG. 3, it includes an information section CI1 and an emphasis section CI2. The information section CI1 is a section for displaying information indicating the play situation. The information section CI1 may be appropriately formed, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is formed in a right-angled triangle shape in the lower left corner of the photographed image 60. The information section CI1 may also appropriately display information indicating the play situation, but in the example of FIG. 3, numbers indicating the rank (play situation) are displayed. Furthermore, the information section CI1 is displayed in different colors depending on the rank. That is, the information section CI1 is configured to indicate the rank (play situation) not only by numbers but also by differences in color. For example, the information section CI1 of the photographed image 60 located in the second row from the left in the top row in the photographed image area 72 displays "3" indicating third place, and is represented by a left diagonal line. Similarly, the information section CI1 of the photographed image 60 located in the second column from the left in the third row from the top displays the number "1" indicating the first digit (highest digit), and the information section CI1 of the photographed image 60 located at the right end of the same third row displays the number "2" indicating the second digit, both of which are expressed by a dot pattern and a right diagonal line. In this example, the color scheme (color) of the information section CI1, such as the right diagonal line, functions as the color display of the present invention.

[0035] The highlighting section CI2 is a section for highlighting the photographed video 60. The photographed video 60 to which the information image CI is associated, in other words, the photographed video 60 of the player P corresponding to the top three players, is highlighted through the highlighting section CI2. The highlighting section CI2 may be appropriately configured so as to highlight the photographed video 60, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is configured so as to make the width of the outer periphery of the photographed video 60 (the boundary with other photographed videos 60) appear thicker. In other words, it is formed in a rectangular shape along the outer periphery of the photographed video 60 so as to highlight the boundary of the photographed video 60. The highlighting section CI2 may also be expressed in the same color as the information section CI1, but in the example of FIG. 3, the highlighting section CI2 corresponding to any ranking is expressed in the same black. In the play video 70A according to the first embodiment, as an example, a mode in which the player identification image shows the play situation is realized by combining the information image CI and the photographed video 60 in this way.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a play video 70B according to the second mode. The play video 70B according to the second mode is also configured to show a play situation by displaying a player identification image in association with an information image CI showing a play situation. However, it is configured to show a play situation different from that of the play video 70A according to the first mode. Specifically, when a play field (such as a course in a racing game, a field set as a range in which a character or the like moves in the game) set as a range for playing a common game is included, and a visual field range corresponding to the visual field of a specific player P as a part of it (visual field range in the play field, that is, a visual field range in the game related to the position, direction, etc. of a character operated by a specific player P) is displayed in the game screen area 71 as the game screen 50, the play video 70 is configured as the play video 70B according to the second mode. Note that in the examples of FIG. 4 to FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the play video 70A according to the first mode, and the description thereof is omitted. Also, for ease of explanation, a distinction is made between gameplay footage 70A relating to the first form and gameplay footage 70B relating to the second form, but one gameplay footage 70 may appropriately include gameplay footage 70A relating to the first form, gameplay footage 70B relating to the second form, or gameplay footage 70 relating to each of the forms described below.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the game screen 50 is also displayed in the game screen area 71 of the game play video 70B according to the second mode, but the game screen 50 displayed there corresponds to the visual field range of a specific user. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, the single-player game screen 50A is displayed in the game screen area 71 as in the example of FIG. 3, but this is the game screen 50 displayed for the play of the player P of the photographed video 60 located in the second row and second column from the top in the photographed video area 72, and corresponds to the visual field range of this player P. Therefore, in the photographed video 60 located in the second row and second column from the top, an information image CI is displayed so as to indicate that the player of the photographed video 60 is a specific player P, that is, a player P corresponding to the visual field of the single-player game screen 50A. In other words, the information image CI indicates a play situation that corresponds to a specific player P.

[0038] The information image CI may be appropriately configured as long as the captured image 60 of the player P corresponding to the specific player P can be distinguished from other captured images 60, that is, as long as the captured image 60 of the player P corresponding to the specific player P can be recognized by the viewer of the play image 70B, but in the example of FIG. 4, it is configured so that the width of the outer periphery of the captured image 60 (the boundary with other captured images 60) appears thicker (corresponding to the highlighted portion CI2 in which the information portion CI1 is omitted in the information image CI in the example of FIG. 3). In the play image 70B according to the second embodiment, as an example, the play situation corresponding to the specific player P is shown through the information image CI. In this example, the information image CI functions as information indicating a specific user of the present invention.

[0039] The display range of the game screen 50 may be set appropriately, and may change, for example, in response to an operation of a specific player P. Specifically, the game may be configured such that the display range of the game screen 50 changes through an appropriate operation inputted via an input device provided on the game machine 3 of the specific player P. That is, the game screen 50 may display different ranges of the play field appropriately in response to the operation of the specific player P. In this case, the game screen 50 may be displayed corresponding to an appropriate range, such as a game screen 50 showing a bird's-eye view of the play field, without being limited to the visual field range of the specific player P, through various operations. In this case, too, an information image CI indicating such a specific player P may be displayed in the captured video 60 corresponding to the specific player P.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image 70C according to the third embodiment. The gameplay image 70C according to the third embodiment is also configured to show a gameplay situation by displaying a player identification image in association with an information image CI showing a gameplay situation. However, it is configured to show a gameplay situation different from that of the gameplay image 70A according to the first embodiment or the gameplay image 70B according to the second embodiment. Specifically, when a common game includes various events (which are often developments corresponding to the excitement of the game, but may be defined appropriately), and a game screen 50 corresponding to an event that has occurred during the gameplay (displaying the range in which the event has occurred) is displayed in the game screen area 71, the gameplay image 70 is configured as the gameplay image 70C according to the third embodiment. The gameplay image 70C according to the third embodiment displays the player identification image in a manner showing the association with the event.

[0041] Specifically, various events may occur between an appropriate number of players P, such as all players P or some players P, but the example of FIG. 5 shows a case where a competition event occurs between two players P. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, an event game screen 50C is displayed in the game screen area 71. The event game screen 50C is a game screen 50 for displaying the state of an event occurring in the game (displaying the range corresponding to the event). The event game screen 50C may be configured appropriately as long as it includes the state of the event, and may be configured as, for example, a game screen 50 corresponding to a side view of two cars CC corresponding to two players P, or a game screen 50 corresponding to a top view of two cars CC, so that the front-to-back relationship of the two cars CC can be understood. In addition, these may be game screens 50 that are not used as the game screen 50 of the player P during play (not seen by the player P), or may be game screens 50 that are displayed based on a specific condition such as an operation by the player P during play. Alternatively, it may be a game screen 50 such as a two-player game screen 50B that is normally displayed during play by the player P in order to progress in the game. The event game screen 50C may be configured as appropriate in this manner, but in the example of Fig. 5, it is configured to display two cars CC enlarged from the front side.

[0042] On the other hand, the information image CI is displayed so as to show two players P corresponding to the two cars CC. More specifically, the information image CI is displayed so as to be associated with two shot images 60 corresponding to two players P who realize a competitive event (related to the event). That is, the information image CI shows two players P related to the competition (or the event game screen 50C) as a play situation. The information image CI may be appropriately configured as long as it can distinguish the shot images 60 of the two players P related to the competition (event game screen 50C) from other shot images 60, that is, as long as it can make the viewer of the play video 70C recognize the shot images 60 of the players P corresponding to those two players P, but in the example of FIG. 5, it is configured so that the width of the outer periphery of the shot image 60 (the boundary with the other shot images 60) appears thicker as in the example of FIG. 4. In the play video 70C according to the third embodiment, as an example, a play situation that corresponds to a player P related to the event is shown through the information image CI. In this example, the information image CI functions as information showing a relationship with the event of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment. The gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment is also configured so that the player identification image indicates the play situation by displaying the player identification image in association with an information image showing the play situation. However, the arrangement position of the player identification image or the information image CI differs from that of the gameplay video 70A etc. according to the first embodiment. Specifically, when the information image CI is displayed in association with a character (an element corresponding to each player P) included in the game screen 50, the gameplay video 70 is configured as the gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment.

[0044] The example of FIG. 6 shows a case where an event similar to the example of FIG. 5 occurs, and an event game screen 50C similar to the example of FIG. 5 is displayed in the game screen area 71. In this case, the information image CI is displayed in the game screen area 71 so as to be associated with two cars CC corresponding to two players P playing a competitive event. The information image CI may be appropriately configured. For example, when a still image (which may be a part of the photographed video 60) of each player P or an image (information) that can identify each player P, such as a name, is displayed in the game screen area 71 as the information image CI, the information image CI in the photographed video area 72 may be omitted, but in the example of FIG. 6, the information image CI is also displayed in the photographed video area 72. The information image CI in the game screen area 71 is configured to be linked to the information image CI in the photographed video area 72.

[0045] Specifically, the information image CI includes a video information image CIV and a screen information image CIS. The video information image CIV is an information image CI displayed in the photographed video area 72. For this reason, in the photographed video area 72, the video information image CIV is displayed in two photographed videos 60 (the second column from the left in the top row and the third column from the left in the third row from the top) corresponding to the two players P involved in the event, similar to the example of FIG. 5. The video information image CIV may be appropriately configured and may be different from the information image CI in the example of FIG. 3, but is configured similarly to the example of FIG. 3 as an example. For this reason, the video information image CIV includes an information portion CI1 and an emphasis portion CI2.

[0046] The information section CI1 may display the ranking (achievement) of each player P as in the example of FIG. 3, but the display of the ranking is omitted in the example of FIG. 6. The information section CI1 may display a color different from the ranking for the sole purpose of identifying each player P, but as an example, a color according to the ranking is displayed as in the example of FIG. 3. For example, the information section CI1 located in the second column from the left on the top row displays a dot pattern indicating first place. Similarly, the information section CI1 located in the third column from the left on the third row from the top displays a right diagonal line indicating second place. In this case, the event game screen 50C displays an event in which the players compete for the top spot.

[0047] On the other hand, the screen information image CIS is an information image CI displayed in the game screen area 71. The screen information image CIS may be configured appropriately as long as it can identify each player P (or the photographed video 60 corresponding to each player P), and as an example, an image having the same color as the information part CI1 of the video information image CIV is displayed. Then, the screen information image CIS is displayed so as to be associated with the car CC corresponding to the player P of the photographed video 60 in which the video information image CIV is displayed. In other words, for the player P of the photographed video 60 in which the information part CI1 is displayed, the screen information image CIS with the same color scheme is displayed so as to be associated with the car CC operated by the player P in the game screen area 71. Then, by utilizing the commonality of colors between the screen information image CIS and the information part CI1 of the video information image CIV, identification of each player P is realized. The video information image CIV may be formed in an appropriate shape as long as it has the same color as the information part CI1, and in the example of FIG. 6, it is formed in a rectangle. In the game play video 70D according to the fourth embodiment, as an example, the player identification image is configured to indicate the play situation through the game screen area 71. In this example, either the car CC (an image included in the event game screen 50C) or the screen information image CIS (an image having a color scheme corresponding to each player P) may function as either the player identification image or the image indicating the play situation.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment. The gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment is configured so that the player identification image indicates the play situation by arranging the player identification image at a position according to the play situation. For example, in the case where the photographed video 60 is used as the player identification image as in the example of FIG. 3, when the position of the photographed video 60 of each player P in the photographed video area 72 changes according to the play situation (rank), the gameplay video 70 is configured as the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment. Then, the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment displays the player identification image so as to be arranged at a position corresponding to each order. That is, in the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment, the player identification image is displayed in a manner including arrangement at a position corresponding to each order.

[0049] The example of FIG. 7 shows a play video 70E according to the fifth embodiment in a play situation similar to that of the example of FIG. 3. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, in the play video 70E according to the fifth embodiment, each captured video 60 in the captured video area 72 is arranged at a position (arrangement order) according to the ranking of each corresponding player P, as compared with the example of FIG. 3. That is, a position corresponding to each ranking is set in the captured video area 72, and each captured video 60 is displayed at a position (arrangement order) according to the ranking of each player P. This arrangement order may be applied only to the winning range from first place to third place, for example, and the arrangement order of fourth place and below (other than the winning range) may be appropriate including cases where it does not match the ranking, but as an example, the arrangement order of fourth place and below also matches the ranking. In this case, the information image CI may be omitted, but is displayed as an example. Specifically, the information image CI indicating each ranking is fixedly displayed at a position corresponding to each ranking. Also, the information image CI may be arranged at all positions in the arrangement order in the captured video area 72 so as to indicate all rankings, but as an example, it is arranged only at a position corresponding to the winning range (first place to third place).

[0050] In addition, the order of the players P in the photographed image area 72 according to their rankings may be arbitrary, but in the example of FIG. 7, the order is set to be indicated in order from the left end to the right end of the top row. For this reason, three information images CI indicating the rankings from first to third place are arranged in order from left to right in the three photographed images 60 located in the top row of the photographed image area 72. In other words, the leftmost row in the top row of the photographed image area 72 functions as the first place position, the adjacent row (second row from the left) functions as the second place position, and the adjacent row (third row from the left) functions as the third place position. Then, the photographed images 60 of each player P are arranged in a position (arrangement order) according to the ranking of each player P. The same is true for the players P in fourth place and below. For example, the fourth place player P is arranged in the rightmost row in the top row of the photographed image area 72, and the fifth place player P is arranged in the leftmost row in the second row, and so on, so that the photographed images 60 of each player P are arranged in a position according to their rankings. In gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment, as one example, the player-identifying images are arranged in an arrangement (order) that indicates the playing situation.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay video 70F according to the sixth embodiment. The gameplay video 70F according to the sixth embodiment is also configured to show a gameplay situation by displaying a player identification image in association with an information image CI showing a gameplay situation. However, the gameplay video 70F according to the sixth embodiment is configured to show a gameplay situation different from that of the gameplay video 70A according to the first embodiment. Specifically, when a common game includes related plays as related plays between a plurality of players P (characters if the game includes characters corresponding to each player P), and the information image CI includes information showing the contents of the related plays, the gameplay video 70 is configured as the gameplay video 70F according to the sixth embodiment.

[0052] Specifically, various plays related to multiple players P may function as related plays, such as a shot or a pass in a soccer game, a car collision in a racing game, or an attack on another player P in a competitive shooting game. The example of FIG. 8 shows a case where a related play is executed in which one player P (character) attacks another player P (character) in an FPS game. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, an FPS game screen 50F corresponding to the play field of the FPS game is displayed in the game screen area 71. The FPS game screen 50F may be any appropriate game screen 50, but as an example, it is a game screen 50 displayed for each player P's play on the home game machine 3B during play, that is, a game screen 50 corresponding to the field of view of a specific player P. In addition, in the captured image area 72, an information image CI is displayed so as to be associated with two captured images 60 corresponding respectively to an attacker (one player P who carries out an attack) and an attacked player (another player P who is attacked by the one player P), and the information image CI includes an emphasis portion CI2, a related presentation portion CI3, and a related image portion CI4.

[0053] The emphasis section CI2 is as described above. The emphasis section CI2 is displayed in two photographed images 60 (the leftmost photographed image 60 in the second row from the top and the rightmost photographed image 60 in the bottom row) corresponding to the attacker and the attacked person, respectively. On the other hand, the relation presentation section CI3 and the relation image section CI4 are sections for indicating the contents of the related play. The relation presentation section CI3 is a section for indicating the relation between multiple players P in the related play. The relation presentation section CI3 may be appropriately configured, but in the example of FIG. 8, it is configured as a dashed line connecting two players P in the related play, that is, the attacker and the attacked person. In other words, the relation presentation section CI3 indicates the relationship between the two players P, the attacker and the attacked person, by connecting the attacker and the attacked person.

[0054] The related image section CI4 is a section showing an image related to the related play. As the related image section CI4, an appropriate image according to the contents of the related play, etc. may be used, but in the example of FIG. 8, an image of a bullet, which is a symbol of an attack, is used. The related image section CI4 may distinguish between the attacker and the attacked person depending on the direction of the bullet, but as an example, it is displayed moving from the attacker to the attacked person. For this reason, the related image section CI4 is configured to distinguish which of the two players P connected by the related presentation section CI3 is the attacker and which is the attacked person depending on the moving direction. In addition, the related image section CI4 (bullet) may move from the attacker to the attacked person along an appropriate route, but in the example of FIG. 8, it moves along the related presentation section CI3 (dashed line). For this reason, the related presentation section CI3 also functions as a moving route of the related image section CI4 (bullet). For example, when the attacker and the victim can be identified only by the related presentation part CI3, such as when the related presentation part CI3 is configured as a dashed arrow, the related image part CI4 may be omitted. Conversely, when the attacker and the victim can be identified only by the related image part CI4, such as when the attacker and the victim are identified by moving the related image part CI4, the related presentation part CI3 may be omitted, but in the example of Figure 8, the information image CI includes both the related presentation part CI3 and the related image part CI4.

[0055] The information image CI may be displayed in conjunction with the FPS game screen 50F, or may be displayed independently of the FPS game screen 50F. More specifically, the information image CI may be displayed in the captured image area 72 so as to show only attacks and attacks that have occurred on the FPS game screen 50F. That is, only attacks and attacks between characters presented on the FPS game screen 50F may be shown through the information image CI. Alternatively, the information image CI may not be limited to attacks and attacks on the FPS game screen 50F, and may display only an appropriate part of attacks and attacks that have occurred during play, such as critical attacks and attacks. In this way, the information image CI may be displayed so as to show various attacks and attacks during the game, but as an example, it is displayed so as to show all attacks and attacks that have occurred during play. In the play image 70F according to the sixth embodiment, as an example, the information image CI is configured to show the contents of the related play. In this example, the information image CI (or either one or both of the related presentation section CI3 and the related image section CI4) functions as the related image of the present invention. In addition, two players P corresponding to the attacker and the attacked respectively, two characters corresponding to those players P respectively, and two filmed images 60 corresponding to those players P (the filmed image 60 on the left side of the second row from the top and the right side of the bottom row) respectively function as two users, two or more characters, and two or more filmed images of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay image 70G according to the seventh embodiment. The gameplay image 70G according to the seventh embodiment is also configured to show a different gameplay situation from the gameplay image 70A according to the first embodiment by displaying the player identification image and the information image CI showing the gameplay situation in association with each other. Specifically, when a common game includes a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of players P as characters having parameters that change according to the progress of the game, and the information image CI is configured to show the state (content) of the parameters of the characters, the gameplay image 70 is configured as the gameplay image 70G according to the seventh embodiment. The gameplay image 70G according to the seventh embodiment is displayed in such a manner that the state of the parameters of the characters is associated with the player identification image.

[0057] Specifically, an FPS game may include various characters, and appropriate parameters may be set for these characters, but the example in Fig. 9 shows a case in which hit points (so-called HP) are set for sixteen characters corresponding to sixteen players P, respectively, as a value for determining whether or not the game can continue. HP is a well-known value (parameter) that decreases when attacked, and when the remaining HP reaches zero, it is determined that the game cannot continue. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, the FPS game screen 50F is displayed in the game screen area 71 as in the example in Fig. 8, but an information image CI indicating the state of HP is displayed in each captured image 60 in the captured image area 72.

[0058] The information image CI may be configured in any suitable form capable of presenting the state of HP, for example, it may be configured to show the remaining amount of HP numerically, or may be configured to show a color corresponding to the remaining amount of HP, such as red when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined standard (any number of standards may be set) such as half or less, and blue when the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the standard value. The information image CI may be configured in any suitable manner in this way, but in the example of Fig. 9, it is configured as a gauge showing the remaining amount of HP.

[0059] Specifically, the information image CI is configured as a horizontally long rectangle extending from the left end to the right end of each photographed video 60, and has a length that reaches the right end when the remaining amount of HP is at the maximum value. On the other hand, each information image CI changes so that the horizontal length becomes shorter as the remaining amount of HP decreases. As a result, each information image CI is configured to indicate the remaining amount of HP by changing its horizontal length. Also, such an information image CI may be displayed only in a part of all photographed videos 60, such as only the photographed video 60 of the player P corresponding to the character whose remaining amount of HP has become equal to or less than a certain value, but in the example of FIG. 9, it is displayed in all photographed videos 60. That is, in the photographed video area 72, the information image CI is displayed in all photographed videos 60 so as to present the remaining amount of HP of all characters. In the play video 70G according to the seventh embodiment, as an example, the information image CI is configured to indicate the parameter state of each character in this way. In this example, the gauge-shaped information image CI functions as information indicating the parameter state of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment. The gameplay video 70G according to the eighth embodiment is configured to display a gameplay situation by arranging the player identification image at a position according to the gameplay situation, similar to the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment. However, the gameplay video 70G according to the eighth embodiment is configured to display a gameplay situation different from that of the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment. Specifically, when the characters corresponding to each player are positioned so as to move on the play field, and the positions are displayed as the gameplay situation, the gameplay video 70 is configured as the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment. The gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment displays the player identification image at the position of each character on the play field.

[0061] The example of FIG. 10 shows a case where the photographed video 60 is used as the player identification image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the FPS game screen 50F is displayed in the game screen area 71, but the position game screen 50H is also displayed in the photographed video area 72. The position game screen 50H is a game screen 50 for showing the position of each character in the play field. The position game screen 50H may be configured as appropriate as long as it is possible to present the position of each character, but in the example of FIG. 10, it is configured as a map screen showing a map of the play field. In addition, the position game screen 50H may be configured as a map screen including the entire play field, but in FIG. 10, it is configured as a map screen showing an appropriate part of the play field (for example, the field of view of a specific player P, a range corresponding to an event, a range including a specific group, etc.). Similarly, the position game screen 50H may be displayed in parallel with the FPS game screen 50F in each home game machine 3B like the play video 70H, or may be a game screen 50 that is not displayed during play in each home game machine 3B. In this way, the position game screen 50H may be any appropriate game screen 50, but as one example, it is configured as a game screen 50 that is auxiliary displayed on each home game machine 3B by a predetermined operation during play.

[0062] The photographed video 60 of each player P is displayed in the photographed video area 72, and each photographed video 60 is arranged at the location where the corresponding character is located on the position game screen 50H. Specifically, each character in the game moves in the playfield according to the operation of each player P, so that each character is scattered in various places on the map showing the playfield. Therefore, the photographed video 60 of each player P is displayed at a position corresponding to the location of each character on the position game screen 50H (map) so as to show the location where the character corresponding to each player P is located on the playfield.

[0063] Also, for example, when there is a character whose position on the playfield is difficult to specify, such as a character whose HP has already been determined to be unable to continue the game (for example, a character whose HP has reached zero), the photographed video 60 corresponding to such a character may be displayed as appropriate. For example, the display of such a photographed video 60 may be omitted (may be hidden), but in the example of FIG. 10, such a photographed video 60 is displayed at a predetermined position with information. Specifically, a photographed video 60 with a large cross mark is displayed at the bottom right (predetermined position) of the photographed video area 72, which is shown as the photographed video 60 of the player P corresponding to a character whose position has already been determined to be unable to continue the game. Not limited to a cross mark, the photographed video 60 corresponding to a character whose position is difficult to specify may be displayed with appropriate information according to the situation, and as an example, when the game cannot be continued, it is displayed like this. In this way, the play video 70H according to the eighth embodiment is configured so that, as an example, the play situation, that is, the position of the corresponding character, is displayed through the position of the photographed video 60 on the position game screen 50H. In this example, the position at which each photographed video 60 is displayed in the photographed video area 72 functions as the character position of the present invention.

[0064] Next, an example of each system built in the video distribution system 1 to provide a gameplay video distribution service will be described. The video distribution system 1 may be built as a single system or may include multiple systems. When including multiple systems, various systems for the gameplay video distribution service may be appropriately built in the video distribution system 1. The video distribution system 1 may take on multiple forms depending on the types of systems built therein. Below, an example of each of the multiple forms included in the video distribution system 1 will be described for each form.

[0065] (Video distribution system according to the first embodiment) A video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 to 16. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of each system constructed in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment in order to provide a game play video distribution service. The video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment includes a game system 10 and a distribution system 20. The game system 10 and the distribution system 20 are systems constructed on the server 2 by appropriately using the server unit 2. The game system 10 is a system for providing a game machine service to a home game machine 3B. The game system 10 may be constructed appropriately by using the server unit 2, and includes a game server unit 2A as an example. The game server unit 2A is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for providing a game machine service including a status distribution service. As such a game server unit 2A, various types of computer devices may be used, for example, a user terminal device 4 such as a book-type PC4C or a game machine 3 such as an arcade game machine 3A may be used, but in the example of Fig. 11, a home game machine 3B is used.

[0066] The delivery system 20 is a system for providing a video delivery service to a book-type PC4C. The delivery system 20 is connected to the game system 10 so as to be able to transmit and receive various information in order to realize the gameplay video delivery service. The delivery system 20 may be appropriately constructed using a server unit 2, and includes an editing server unit 2B and a delivery server unit 2C as an example. The editing server unit 2B is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for editing video, including the generation of gameplay video 70. Such processes include processes for realizing a video editing procedure. As such an editing server unit 2B, various computer devices may be used, for example, a user terminal device 4 such as a book-type PC4C, or a game machine 3 such as a home game machine 3B, but in the example of FIG. 11, a stationary PC is used.

[0067] The delivery server unit 2C is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for delivering various videos including gameplay videos 70. Such processes include processes for realizing a video delivery procedure. The delivery server unit 2C may be configured with various computer devices, similar to the editing server unit 2B, and may be configured with the editing server unit 2B so as to also perform the role of the delivery server unit 2C (or vice versa), but as an example, it is configured with a server unit 2 separate from the editing server unit 2B. The delivery system 20 realizes a gameplay video delivery service by utilizing the editing server unit 2B and the delivery server unit 2C.

[0068] Next, the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the play video distribution service in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the control system of the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the game server unit 2A is provided with a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is configured by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 12 stores a program (computer program) PG1 to be referred to by the control unit 11 and server data SD1. The control unit 11 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the game server unit 2A. In the control unit 11, various logical devices related to the play video service (or situation distribution service) can be configured by a combination of the hardware resources constituting the control unit 11 and the program PG1, but in the example of FIG. 12, a game management unit 13 and a data management unit 14 are shown.

[0069] The game management unit 13 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the provision of a game. For example, when the game screen 50 is generated in the game system 10, the game management unit 13 executes a process for acquiring various information required for generating (drawing) the game screen 50, such as operation information, from the home game console 3B, a process for generating the game screen 50 based on the information, and a process for providing the game screen 50 to the home game console 3B.

[0070] The data management unit 14 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the server data SD1. The server data SD1 may include various data necessary for providing the game machine service as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 12, situation data CD, screen data VD, and video data MD are shown. The situation data CD is data for managing the game play situation for each player P. The screen data VD is image data for displaying the game screen 50. The video data MD is video data for displaying various videos including the shot video 60. The processing performed by the data management unit 14 includes various processes for managing the situation data CD, screen data VD, and video data MD. For example, the situation data CD and screen data VD may be generated by the game management unit 13 and stored as the server data SD1, but even in this case, the data management unit 14 performs processing for transmitting and receiving the situation data CD and screen data VD to and from the distribution system 20. Similarly, for example, the video data MD may be generated in the home game console 3B and transmitted to the game server unit 2A, but even in this case, the data management unit 14 executes the process of acquiring the video data MD from the home game console 3B and transmitting it to the distribution system 20. The situation data CD and the video data MD will be described in detail later.

[0071] The editing server unit 2B is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. A program (computer program) PG2 to be referenced by the control unit 21 and server data SD2 are stored in the storage unit 22. The control unit 21 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the editing server unit 2B. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 21 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 21 with the program PG2, and in the example of FIG. 12, a video editing unit 23 and a data management unit 24 are provided.

[0072] The video editing unit 23 performs various processes for editing the video for distribution. For example, such processes include processes for realizing a video editing procedure, such as a process for generating gameplay video 70. For example, as such processes, the video editing unit 23 executes a video generation process. The details of the procedure of the video generation process will be described later.

[0073] The data management unit 24 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the server data SD2. The server data SD2 may include various data necessary for providing a video distribution service as appropriate, and in the example of FIG. 12, the situation data CD, screen data VD, video data MD, and distribution data DD are shown. The situation data CD, screen data VD, and video data MD are as described above and are provided from the game system 10. The distribution data DD is video data for displaying video for distribution including the play video 70. The data management unit 24 executes various processes for managing the situation data CD, screen data VD, video data MD, and distribution data DD. Such processes include, for example, a process for providing the distribution data DD to the distribution server unit 2C, and a process for acquiring the situation data CD, screen data VD, and video data MD from the game system 10.

[0074] The delivery server unit 2C is provided with a control unit 25 and a storage unit 26. The storage unit 26 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 26 stores a program (computer program) PG3 to be referenced by the control unit 25, and server data SD3. The control unit 25 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the delivery server unit 2C. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 25 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 25 with the program PG3, and in the example of FIG. 12, a progress control unit 27 and a data management unit 28 are provided.

[0075] The progress control unit 27 performs various processes for distributing images for distribution, such as gameplay images 70, to the book-type PC4C. Such processes include a process for providing distribution data DD so that the gameplay images 70 are displayed on the monitor 45 provided in the book-type PC4C. The data management unit 28 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the server data SD3. The server data SD3 may include various data necessary for providing a gameplay image distribution service as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 12 shows the distribution data DD. The distribution data DD is as described above, and is provided from the editing server unit 2B. The data management unit 28 executes various processes for managing the distribution data DD. Such processes include, for example, a process for acquiring the distribution data DD from the editing server unit 2B.

[0076] The home game machine 3B is provided with a monitor MO, an input device IP, a camera CA, a control unit 31, and a storage unit 32. The monitor MO is a well-known display device for displaying various images including a game screen 50 for providing a game. The input device IP is a well-known device for inputting play actions such as various operations necessary for playing a game. The home game machine 3B may be appropriately provided with various input devices IP, such as a touch panel for inputting a touch operation as a play action by outputting a signal according to the position of the user's finger. The camera CA is as described above.

[0077] The storage unit 32 may be appropriately configured to record various data, and is configured by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array, as an example. The storage unit 32 stores computer programs to be referenced by the control unit 31 and various data. Such data may include various data necessary for providing the game, such as image data for displaying various images, audio data for reproducing various sounds, or play data for managing the game-related achievements of each user. These may also be provided from the game server unit 2A as appropriate. The control unit 31 is configured by utilizing computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the home game machine 3B. Various logical devices may be configured in the control unit 31 by combining these hardware resources with computer programs stored in the storage unit 33.

[0078] Next, the situation data CD and the video data MD will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the situation data CD. As shown in FIG. 13, the situation data CD includes a situation record CDR for managing the game play situation for each player P. Furthermore, the situation record CDR includes information on a "user ID" and a "play situation" in order to realize such management. In the situation record CDR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated. The "user ID" is information indicating a unique user ID for each user in order to identify each user (player P). The "play situation" is information indicating the game play situation. In the "play situation", various situations to be presented in the play video 70 are appropriately described as play situations.

[0079] Specifically, for example, in the gameplay video 70A according to the first mode, information on at least one of the rank and the color indicating the rank (if the color corresponding to the rank is defined by other data, only color information may be used) is described in the "play situation" as information on the play situation. In the case of the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth mode, the information on the play situation may include information on the position corresponding to the rank in the shot video area 72 instead of or in addition to these. Also, for example, in the gameplay video 70B according to the second mode, the gameplay video 70C according to the third mode, the gameplay video 70D according to the fourth mode, or the gameplay video 70F according to the sixth mode, information indicating a specific player P (a player P corresponding to the field of view of the single-player game screen 50A in the gameplay video 70B according to the second mode, a player P related to the event in the gameplay video 70C according to the third mode, and a player P related to a related play in the gameplay video 70F according to the sixth mode) is described in the "play situation" as information on the play situation. In the case of gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment, the "play situation" may further include, as appropriate, the color corresponding to each player P and information on the car CC as information on the play situation. Similarly, in the case of gameplay video 70F according to the sixth embodiment, the information on the play situation may further include information for identifying the attacker and the attacked.

[0080] Furthermore, in the gameplay video 70G according to the seventh embodiment, information indicating the state of parameters (e.g., remaining HP) is described in the "play situation" as information on the play situation. Also, in the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment, information indicating the position of each character in the position game screen 50H is described in the "play situation" as information on the play situation. In this example, the user ID information functions as the user identification information of the present invention. Note that the situation data CD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may include various pieces of information as appropriate depending on the convenience of the play situation to be displayed in the gameplay video 70. Alternatively, some of the above information may be omitted as appropriate.

[0081] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of video data MD. As shown in FIG. 14, the video data MD includes a video section MD1 and a video management section MD2. The video section MD1 is a section for displaying each video, and is configured as well-known video data. The video management section MD2 is a section for managing information related to each video, and includes a video management record MDR for managing information related to each video. The video management record MDR may include various information appropriately according to the type of video, etc., in order to realize such management, but in the case of the photographed video 60, it includes information on "video ID" and "user ID". The "user ID" is information indicating the above-mentioned user ID. Furthermore, the "video ID" is information indicating a unique video ID for each photographed video 60 in order to identify each photographed video 60. In the video management record MDR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated. In this example, the video management section MD2 of the video data MD functions as the video identification data of the present invention. Furthermore, the information on the video ID functions as the video identification information of the present invention.

[0082] The video data MD is not limited to these pieces of information and may include various pieces of information as appropriate. Alternatively, some of the above information may be omitted as appropriate. Although detailed explanation of the screen data VD is omitted, the game screen 50 is also managed uniquely for each appropriate unit. As such a unit, various units may be used, and as an example, it is managed by the unit of each play. That is, each game screen 50 is given a unique ID for each play. As such an ID, various IDs may be used as appropriate, and for example, the same video ID as the photographed video 60 is used. Therefore, each game screen 50 is managed uniquely between each photographed video 60 via the video ID.

[0083] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of the gameplay video distribution service in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the gameplay video distribution service includes steps F1 to F8. Specifically, when a user (player P) requests to play a game through a predetermined start procedure, the home game machine 3B transmits the request to the game system 10 (F1). In addition, even during game play, the home game machine 3B transmits various information necessary for the progress of the game or drawing of the game screen 50, such as operation information of the player P, to the game system 10 as appropriate. Such information includes information on the user ID corresponding to each player P. The home game machine 3B may acquire the user ID information as appropriate, but as an example, requests the player P to provide it as part of the start procedure.

[0084] On the other hand, when the gaming system 10 receives a game request from the home gaming machine 3B, it starts providing the game. Then, the gaming system 10 draws the game screen 50 based on information such as the operation information of the player P received from the home gaming machine 3B, and transmits the drawn game screen 50 (screen data VD) to the home gaming machine 3B so that it is displayed on the monitor MO of the home gaming machine 3B (F2).

[0085] The game system 10 also transmits various data necessary for video distribution to the distribution system 20 (F3). For example, when the distribution target is gameplay video 70, the gameplay video 70 includes a game screen 50 and information on the play situation. The game screen 50 is displayed based on the screen data VD. For this reason, the game system 10 transmits the screen data VD to the distribution system 20 as data necessary for editing the gameplay video 70. Similarly, information on the play situation is managed for each player P by the situation data CD. For this reason, the game system 10 first generates situation data CD based on operation information acquired for drawing the game screen 50. Then, the game system 10 transmits the situation data CD to the distribution system 20 as data necessary for editing the gameplay video 70, similar to the screen data VD.

[0086] Meanwhile, the camera CA is controlled to capture images of the player P at any time while playing the game, and transmits the captured images to the home game console 3B (F4). When the home game console 3B acquires the captured images from the camera CA, it generates video data MD (captured video 60) corresponding to the captured images and transmits the video data MD to the delivery system 20 (F5). In this case, the video data MD may be provided to the delivery system 20 via the game system 10, but as an example, it is provided directly to the delivery system 20.

[0087] When the delivery system 20 acquires the screen data VD, the situation data CD, and the video data MD, it edits the gameplay video 70 via the editing server unit 2B (this editing, or a procedure including an appropriate part of F1 to F5, corresponds to a video editing procedure). The editing server unit 2B may execute editing of the gameplay video 70 as appropriate, but as an example, it executes editing so that the game screen 50 based on the screen data VD and each shot video 60 based on the video data MD are displayed in the game screen area 71 and the shot video area 72, respectively. Next, the editing server unit 2B displays a player identification image in the gameplay video 70 in a manner showing the play situation. This display may be realized as appropriate according to the manner showing the play situation, but for example, in the gameplay video 70A according to the first form to the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth form, the shot video 60 of each player P is used as the player identification image.

[0088] Specifically, in the play video 70A according to the first embodiment to the play video 70D according to the fourth embodiment and the play video 70F according to the sixth embodiment to the play video 70G according to the seventh embodiment, the play situation is presented through the information image CI. Therefore, in these embodiments, the editing server unit 2B displays the information image CI in the play video 70 so as to associate it with the shot video 60 of each player P (including the case of one player, since it is sufficient for only some of the target players P). On the other hand, in the play video 70E according to the fifth embodiment and the play video 70H according to the eighth embodiment, the play situation is presented through the position of each shot video 60. Therefore, the editing server unit 2B places the shot video 60 of each player P at a position corresponding to the play situation. As an example, the editing server unit 2B generates the play video 70 in this way, in other words, the distribution data DD for displaying such play video 70. Then, the editing server unit 2B transmits the generated distribution data DD to the distribution server unit 2C (F6).

[0089] On the other hand, when a procedure for a predetermined distribution request is executed by a user U (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a viewer U), the book-type PC4C requests the distribution of video from the distribution server unit 2C (F7). Then, the distribution server unit 2C transmits distribution data DD for displaying the video to the book-type PC4C so that the video corresponding to the request is displayed on the book-type PC4C (F8). This transmission may be realized appropriately, but as an example, it is realized via the distribution server unit 2C. Specifically, for example, when the book-type PC4C requests distribution of gameplay video 70, the distribution server unit 2C transmits distribution data DD for displaying the gameplay video 70 to the book-type PC4C (this transmission, that is, the procedure of F8 corresponds to the video distribution procedure). In addition, the distribution server unit 2C may live-distribute the gameplay video 70 (distribution in which the video during gameplay is displayed at any time through streaming distribution while the game is being played) or may distribute the recorded video (distribution as past video after the game is played). As an example, in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment, a play video distribution service is realized through such a procedure.

[0090] Next, the video generation process will be described. The video generation process is a process for generating video for distribution. Such video includes play video 70. The video generation process may be appropriately implemented according to various editing required for the video to be distributed, but the example of FIG. 16 shows the video generation process when the play video 70 is generated. The example of FIG. 16 shows the case where the photographed video 60 of each player P is used as the player identification image. In this case, when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied (the generation condition may be appropriately satisfied, for example, at a predetermined cycle, depending on the convenience of the distribution of the play video 70, but includes the acquisition of the screen data VD, the situation data CD, and the video data MD as a requirement), the video editing unit 23 starts the video generation process of FIG. 16, and first, various play situations such as the ranking (achievement), a specific player P, an event, a related play, a position, or a parameter state are determined based on the situation data CD (step S101).

[0091] Next, the video editing unit 23 determines the filmed video 60 of each player P based on the video data MD (step S102). This determination is performed as follows, for example. Specifically, the video editing unit 23 first identifies the player P to whom the play situation determined in step S101 should be presented through the play video 70. For example, in the case of the play video 70A related to the first mode, three players P corresponding to the play situation in the winning range are identified, in the case of the play video 70C related to the third mode, two players P corresponding to specific players are identified, in the case of the play video 70G related to the seventh mode, all players P are identified, and in the case of the play video 70H related to the eighth mode, three players P at the positions included in the position game screen 50H and a player P corresponding to a character determined not to be able to continue are identified based on the information of the user ID associated with the play situation in the situation data CD. Then, the video editing unit 23 determines the filmed video 60 associated with the identified user ID through the video data MD, and determines the identified filmed video 60 as the filmed video 60 of each player P. When an image other than the shot video 60 is used as the player-identification image, that image may be managed in place of the shot video 60 in the video data MD, and that image may be similarly identified in step S102.

[0092] Next, the video editing unit 23 generates the gameplay video 70 using the results of the determinations made in steps S101 and S102 (step S103). The video editing unit 23 may realize this generation appropriately according to the gameplay video 70 to be generated. For example, when generating the gameplay video 70A according to the first form to the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth form, the video editing unit 23 realizes this generation by generating distribution data DD for displaying the gameplay video 70 generated according to the editing performed for the procedure F6 in the example of FIG. 15. That is, the video editing unit 23 generates distribution data DD in step S103 for displaying the gameplay video 70 including various information images CI associated with the photographed video 60 of each player P, or the gameplay video 70 in which the photographed video 60 of each player P is displayed at a position corresponding to the play situation, on a book-shaped PC4C. Then, after this generation, the video editing unit 23 ends the current video generation process. As a result, the gameplay video 70 including information on various play situations is generated as one of the videos to be distributed. In other words, the video editing procedure in the gameplay video distribution service is realized.

[0093] As described above, according to the video distribution system 1A of the first embodiment, the distribution data DD is generated based on the situation data CD, the video data MD, and the screen data VD, and the gameplay video 70 is displayed on the book-type PC4C based on the distribution data DD. The gameplay video 70 displays the player identification images of the players P in a display mode that indicates the play status of appropriate users, such as some of the players P in the winning range or all of the players P. For this reason, by utilizing such a display mode of the player identification images, it is possible to provide the viewer U who watches the gameplay video 70 through the book-type PC4C with information that assists the relationship between the game play status and at least some of the players P related to that play status.

[0094] Specifically, the play video 70A according to the first form displays an information image CI including information on rankings, the play video 70B according to the second form displays an information image CI indicating a specific user, the play video 70C according to the third form to the play video 70D according to the fourth form displays an information image CI indicating a relationship with an event, and the play video 70G according to the seventh form displays an information image CI indicating a parameter state, in a manner in which each of the shot videos 60 is associated as a player identification image. Furthermore, the play video 70F according to the sixth form displays an associated image portion CI4 indicating the relationship between multiple players P in a related play, in a manner in which each of the shot videos 60 is associated as a player identification image.

[0095] On the other hand, the gameplay video 70E according to the fifth embodiment and the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment display each of the captured images 60 as a player identification image in a manner in which the captured images 60 are arranged at positions corresponding to the play situation, such as the ranking or the character's position. Therefore, by utilizing such a display manner of the captured images 60, the viewer U can recognize the play situation of each player P, such as at least the ranking of each of the higher players P, a specific player P, a player P related to a related play, such as an attacker and an attackee, the state of parameters, or the position of each character. This can improve the appeal of the gameplay video 70, and can thus promote the viewing of the gameplay video 70. In particular, when the captured images 60 of each player P are used as the player identification image, there is no need to prepare a player identification image separately from the captured images 60, and each of the existing captured images 60 can be used as the player identification image.

[0096] (Video distribution system according to the second embodiment) Next, a video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17 and Fig. 18. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an overview of each system constructed in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment in order to provide a gameplay video distribution service. Note that the same reference numerals are used in Figs. 17 to 18 to designate components common to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] 17, the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment is different from the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment in the system in which the editing server unit 2B is provided. Specifically, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, the editing server unit 2B is provided in a game system 10. The editing server unit 2B may be performed by the game server unit 2A, but as an example, it is configured as a server unit 2 separate from the game server unit 2A.

[0098] Also, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, the camera CA may be provided appropriately, and may be provided in the home game machine 3B as in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment, but in the example of FIG. 17, it is provided separately from the home game machine 3B. Specifically, the camera CA is connected to and controlled by a user terminal device 4 that is separate from the home game machine 3B. Such a camera CA may be provided in the user terminal device 4, but as an example, it is prepared as a device independent of the user terminal device 4 and is connected separately to the user terminal device 4. Also, an appropriate computer device may be used as such a user terminal device 4, but in the example of FIG. 17, a book-type PC4C is used. Then, the photographing result of the camera CA is transmitted to the gaming system 10 via the book-type PC4C.

[0099] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of a gameplay video distribution service in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, compared to the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment, the procedure F6A is executed instead of the procedure F3, and as a result, the procedure F6 includes the procedures F6A and F6B. Specifically, the game server unit 2A transmits the situation data CD and the screen data VD to the editing server unit 2B instead of the distribution system 20 (F6A).

[0100] Moreover, the book-type PC4C controls the camera CA while acquiring a user ID from the viewer U, and transmits the captured image and the user ID to the game system 10 (F5), and the captured image is provided to the editing server unit 2B. This provision may be realized appropriately in the game system 10, for example, by direct transmission from the book-type PC4C to the editing server unit 2B, but as an example, it is realized via the game server unit 2A. In other words, the book-type PC4C transmits the captured image of the camera CA to the game server unit 2A, and the game server unit 2A transmits the captured image to the editing server unit 2B in the same manner as the situation data CD, etc. (F6A).

[0101] Meanwhile, the editing server unit 2B, like the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment, edits the gameplay video 70, generates distribution data DD for displaying the edited gameplay video 70, and transmits the distribution data DD to the distribution system 20 (F6B). As an example, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, a gameplay video distribution service is realized through such a procedure.

[0102] As described above, the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment can provide the same effect as the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment. In particular, the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment may be more preferable than the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment for the gameplay video 70 according to some embodiments, such as the gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment and the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment. Specifically, for example, in the gameplay video 70D according to the fourth embodiment and the gameplay video 70H according to the eighth embodiment, the captured video 60 as a player identification image is placed at a corresponding position on the game screen 50, so information for identifying each position on the game screen 50 (hereinafter, screen detail information) is used. The game server unit 2A that renders the game screen 50 can also use the screen detail information, but in the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment, the game server unit 2A and the editing server unit 2B are provided in separate systems 10 and 20, so that the screen data VD or other data is appropriately managed and transmitted between the systems 10 and 20.

[0103] On the other hand, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, the drawing of the game screen 50 and the editing of the gameplay video 70 are executed in the same game system 10, so that the screen detail information can be shared within the game system 10 (within the same unit when the game server unit 2A also serves as the editing server unit 2B). This makes it unnecessary to transmit the screen detail information across systems. As a result, in the video distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, it is expected that the transmission capacity between the two systems 10, 20 will be reduced, and thus the storage capacity will be reduced, compared to the video distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the video editing unit 23 of the editing server unit 2B functions as the situation determination means, data generation means, and video discrimination means of the present invention by executing the video generation process of Fig. 16. Specifically, the video editing unit 23 functions as the situation determination means by executing step S101 of Fig. 16, as the data generation means by executing step S103 of Fig. 16, and as the video discrimination means by executing step S102 of Fig. 16.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be embodied in various modified or altered forms. For example, the game server unit 2A, the editing server unit 2B, and the delivery server unit 2C in the above-mentioned embodiments may share all or part of their roles (various processes, etc.) as appropriate. That is, these server units 2A, 2B, and 2C may be configured to double as other appropriate server units. The same applies to the game system 10 and the delivery system 20. Similarly, all or part of these roles may be shared as appropriate in the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4. That is, the video delivery system of the present invention may include various other systems (including a single device such as the game machine 3) as appropriate. As a result, the server units 2A, 2B, and 2C and the systems 10 and 20 may be omitted as appropriate. For this reason, for example, only the editing server unit 2B (including the case where the editing server unit 2B is constructed by a plurality of server units 2) or only the delivery system 20, or other appropriate units such as the server unit 2, may function as the video delivery system of the present invention.

[0106] Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are written in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0107] The video distribution system of the present invention is a video distribution system (2B) that generates play video (70) combining a plurality of captured images (60) of a plurality of users (P) playing a common game via one or a plurality of game machines (3) and a game screen (50) of the common game to distribute to a video display terminal (4) connected via a network (NT), and is equipped with a situation determination means (23) that determines the play situation of at least a portion of the plurality of users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data (CD) that associates each play situation in the common game of the user corresponding to the user identification information, and a data generation means (23) that generates play video data (DD) for displaying, as the play video, on the video display terminal as the situation-attached play video (70) that displays, in a display mode indicating the play situation, a user identification image (60) prepared separately from the game screen as an image for identifying the portion of the users.

[0108] According to the present invention, play video data for displaying the situation-added play video is generated, and the situation-added play video is displayed as a play video on the video display terminal via the play video data. In addition, in the situation-added play video, a user identification image for identifying at least some of the users is displayed in a display mode that indicates the play status of the users. Therefore, by utilizing the display mode of such a user identification image, a viewer who watches the situation-added play video through the video display terminal, that is, a user of the video display terminal, can be provided with information that assists the relationship between the play status of a common game and at least some of the users related to the play status.

[0109] The user identification image may be any appropriate image prepared separately from the game screen, as long as it is an image that can identify each user. For example, the user identification image may be an image (including both still images and moving images) that includes characters, symbols, pictures, etc. for identifying each user, or may be a captured video of each user. The captured video may be a video captured in advance, or may be a video captured during the current play. Furthermore, the capture during play may be performed before play or during play. Furthermore, the captured video may be a still image or a video such as a video captured in parallel of a user playing (video captured in accordance with the progress of the game).

[0110] Specifically, for example, as one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, a video discrimination means (23) may be provided for discriminating a part of the shot video corresponding to the part of the users based on video identification information for identifying each shot video and video identification data (MD) that associates the user identification information of the user corresponding to each shot video, and the data generation means may generate the play video data of the situation-added play video so as to display the part of the shot video in the display mode as the user identification image. In this case, the shot video of each user can be used as a user identification image.

[0111] The common game may be an appropriate game, for example, a simulation game, an action game, a role-playing game, or the like. The user identification image may be displayed in an appropriate manner so as to show various play situations that may occur in these various games. For example, when various games are provided as competitive games, results such as winning or losing, or rankings (various information that allows for the determination of superiority or inferiority) may be displayed as play situations through the display manner of the user identification image. When each user plays a game through a character, the state of parameters set for the character may be displayed as play situations through the display manner of the user identification image. Furthermore, when the character moves through a play field set in the game (a range set in the game as the character's activity range), the position in the play field may be displayed as play situations through the display manner of the user identification image. Alternatively, for example, when there is a specific user in the game who satisfies a special condition (for example, a user in a visual field range corresponding to a game screen, or a user related to an event, etc.), a situation corresponding to such a specific user may be displayed as play situations through the display manner of the user identification image. Similarly, when the common game includes plays related to multiple users, such relationships may be displayed as play situations through the display manner of the user identification image. In this way, various situations according to the game may be appropriately shown as play situations through the display mode of the user identification image.

[0112] Specifically, in one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game may be configured to set a ranking for each user, the situation data may be configured to associate the ranking of each user with the user identification information as each play situation, the situation determination means may determine the ranking of the some of the users as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means may generate the play video data of the situation-added play video such that the user identification image is displayed in a manner indicating the ranking of the some of the users as the display manner. In this aspect, a color corresponding to each ranking is set for each ranking, and the data generation means may generate the play video data of the situation-added play video including a display of the color displayed in association with the user identification image such that the manner indicating the ranking of the some of the users includes a display of the color (CI2) corresponding to each ranking. Alternatively, in a mode in which a user identification image is displayed in a manner indicating the ranking of a portion of users, the play video may include positions corresponding to each ranking, and the data generation means may generate the play video data for the situation-based play video in which the user identification image is displayed at a position corresponding to each ranking, so that the manner in which the ranking of the portion of users is indicated includes positioning of the user identification image at a position corresponding to each ranking.

[0113] In addition, in one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game includes a play field set within the common game as a range for playing the common game, the game screen is displayed to correspond to a field of view of a specific user in the play field, the situation data is configured to associate information indicating the specific user as the play situation with a user corresponding to the specific user, the situation determination means determines the specific user as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means generates the play video data of the situation-attached play video so as to display the user identification image in a manner indicating the specific user as the display manner.

[0114] In one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game includes a playfield set within the common game as an area for playing the common game, the game screen displays the area in the playfield in which an event occurred when the event occurred in the common game, the situation data is configured to associate information indicating a relationship with the event as the play situation with a user related to the event, the situation determination means determines the relationship with the event as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means generates the play video data of the situation-attached play video so as to display the user identification image in a manner indicating a relationship with the event as the display manner.

[0115] In one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game includes a play field set within the common game as an area for playing the common game, the game screen displays different areas of the play field in response to operations input via an input device (IP) provided on a game machine of a specific user among the multiple users, the situation data is configured to associate information indicating the specific user with the specific user as the play situation, the situation determination means determines the specific user as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means generates the play video data of the situation-attached play video so as to display the user identification image in a manner indicating the specific user as the display manner.

[0116] In one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game includes a plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of users, each of which has a parameter that changes according to the progress of the common game, and the situation data is configured to associate information indicating the parameter state of each character with the user identification information as the play situation, the situation determination means determines the parameter state of characters corresponding to some of the users as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means generates the play video data of the situation-accompanying play video so as to display, as the display mode, the parameter state (CI) of the character and the user identification image in an associated manner.

[0117] In one aspect of the video distribution system of the present invention, the common game includes a plurality of characters corresponding respectively to the plurality of users, and a playfield set within the common game as an area for playing the common game, the situation data is configured to associate information indicating the position of each character in the playfield with the user identification information of the user corresponding to each character as the play situation, the situation determination means determines character positions as positions in the playfield of characters corresponding to some of the users as the play situation based on the situation data, and the data generation means may generate the play video data of the situation-attached play video so as to display the user identification image at the character position as the display mode.

[0118] Similarly, in a mode in which filmed footage is used as a user identification image, the common game includes a plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of users, and related plays related between two or more of the plurality of characters, the situation data is configured to associate information indicating the related plays as the play situation with two or more users corresponding to the two or more characters, the situation determination means determines the related plays of the two or more users as the play situation of some of the users based on the situation data, and the data generation means may generate the play video data of the situation-based play video including the display of the related images, so that the display mode includes the display of a related image (CI4) displayed in association with two or more filmed footage corresponding to the two or more users, respectively, as an image indicating the related plays.

[0119] Also, a computer program (PG2) of the present invention is configured to cause a computer (21) connected to the video display terminal via the network to function as each of the means of the video distribution system described above.

[0120] The control method of the present invention causes a computer (21) incorporated in a video distribution system (2B) that generates a play video (70) combining a plurality of captured images (60) of a plurality of users (P) playing a common game via one or a plurality of game machines (3) and a game screen (50) of the common game to be distributed to a video display terminal (4) connected via a network (NT), to execute a situation determination procedure for determining the play situations of at least some of the users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data (CD) that associates each play situation in the common game of the user corresponding to the user identification information, and a data generation procedure for generating play video data (DD) for displaying, as the play video, a situation-attached play video (70) that displays a user identification image (60) prepared separately from the game screen as an image for identifying the some of the users in a display mode indicating the play situation on the video display terminal. The video distribution system of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program or the control method of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1. Video distribution system 3. Gaming consoles 4 User terminal device (video display terminal) 21 Control unit (computer) 23 Video editing unit (situation determination means, data generation means, video determination means) 50 Game Screen 60 Shooting video (user identification image) 70 Play video (play video with situation) 2B Editing server unit (video distribution system) P Player (user) CD Status Data MD video data (video identification data) NT Network

Claims

1. A video distribution system that generates a gameplay video, which is a combination of a plurality of captured videos of a plurality of users playing a common game via one or a plurality of game machines, and a game screen of the common game, for distribution to a video display terminal connected via a network, comprising: a situation determination means for determining playing situations of at least some of the plurality of users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data correlating each playing situation of the user corresponding to the user identification information in the common game; a data generating means for generating play video data for displaying, on the video display terminal as the play video, a situation-added play video in which a user identification image, which is prepared separately from the game screen as an image for identifying the part of users, is displayed in a display mode that changes according to the play situation so as to indicate the play situation; Equipped with the common game includes a play field set within the common game as a range for playing the common game; the situation data is configured to associate, when an event occurs in the common game, information indicating a relationship with the event as the play situation with a user related to the event; the situation determination means determines a relationship between the play situation and the event based on the situation data; The data generation means generates the play video data of the situation-accompanying play video so that the user identification image is displayed in a manner indicating a relationship with the event as the display manner.

2. 2. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to said video display terminal via said network to function as each of the means of the video distribution system according to claim 1.

3. A computer incorporated in a video distribution system generates a gameplay video, which is a combination of a plurality of captured videos of a plurality of users playing a common game via one or a plurality of game machines, and a game screen of the common game, in order to distribute the gameplay video to a video display terminal connected via a network, a situation determination step of determining playing situations of at least some of the plurality of users based on user identification information for identifying each user and situation data correlating each playing situation of the user corresponding to the user identification information in the common game; a data generation step of generating play video data for displaying, on the video display terminal as the play video, a situation-added play video in which a user identification image, which is prepared separately from the game screen as an image for identifying the part of users, is displayed in a display mode that changes according to the play situation so as to indicate the play situation; Run the command, the common game includes a play field set within the common game as a range for playing the common game; the situation data is configured to associate, when an event occurs in the common game, information indicating a relationship with the event as the play situation with a user related to the event; the situation determination step includes determining a relationship between the play situation and the event based on the situation data; The data generation step of this control method generates the play video data of the situation-accompanying play video so that the user identification image is displayed in a manner indicating a relationship with the event as the display manner.

Images