Game device and program

Abstract

To provide a game device and a program capable of easily enjoying a competition game by using a function of a moving image distribution platform.SOLUTION: A game device that provides a battle game between characters used by users using a video distribution platform includes a character ID generation unit that generates an ID of a character, a message analysis unit that analyzes a message input by the users in a predetermined chat field of the video distribution platform and sets a character indicated by the character ID as a battle wait state in a case where a part or all of the message is a character ID, a battle implementation unit that determines winning or losing of a battle between characters of the battle wait state, a battle video generation unit that generates a video indicating content of the battle, and a battle video distribution unit that distributes the generated video using the video distribution platform.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device and a program, and more particularly to a game device and a program that allow players to easily enjoy competitive games using the functions of a video distribution platform. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART For example, a game support system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as an information processing system that provides a competitive game using a trading card game (TCG) to users in remote locations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-093717 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, to play games using conventional technology, users must prepare hardware such as a dedicated game console and software such as a game application. Preparing the necessary hardware, software, and other necessary environments for playing games increases the barrier to participation for users, and there has been a demand for technology that makes it easier for users to participate in games.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a program that allow players to easily enjoy competitive games using the functions of a video distribution platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The game device of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a game device that uses a video distribution platform to provide a fighting game between characters used by users, and is equipped with a character ID generation unit that generates an ID for the character, a message analysis unit that analyzes messages entered by the user in a specified chat box on the video distribution platform and performs specified processing, a match implementation unit that determines the outcome of a match between the characters in a match waiting state, and a match video distribution unit that distributes a video showing the content of the match using the video distribution platform, wherein the specified processing is characterized in that, if part or all of the message is the ID of the character, the character indicated by the ID is put into a match waiting state.

[0007] The game device according to the present invention may further comprise a character generation unit that generates the character based on a keyword input by the user.

[0008] In the game device according to the present invention, the character may be a character on a digital trading card. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the configuration of the present invention, when a character ID generated by a character ID generation unit is entered into a chat box on a video distribution platform, a message analysis unit puts the character identified by the entered character ID into a battle waiting state, and a battle execution unit determines the outcome. With this configuration, users can easily enjoy a battle game using a video distribution platform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of character generation in one example of the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a character generation screen in an example of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a keyword input screen in an example of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a character generation waiting screen in an example of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a character screen in an example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a battle between characters in one example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a video distribution screen of a video distribution platform in an example of the same embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a video showing the progress of a match is being distributed on a video distribution screen of a video distribution platform in an example of the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game device 1 in this example of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game device 1 is communicably connected to a video distribution platform 2 and a user terminal 3 via a network 4.

[0012] The game device 1 is a device that provides a battle game between characters used by users, using a video distribution platform 2. In one example of this embodiment, the game device 1 includes a character generation unit 11, a character ID generation unit 12, a message analysis unit 13, a battle implementation unit 14, a battle video distribution unit 15, and a database 16.

[0013] The character generation unit 11 generates a character that the user will use in the battle game based on keywords entered by the user. In one example of this embodiment, the character is information consisting of the character's name, user information indicating the user who generated the character, a character image indicating the character's appearance, character attributes indicating the character's predetermined attributes, and a description of the character, and the character generated by the character generation unit 11 is recorded in a database 16 described below. Note that in one example of this embodiment, the characters generated by the character generation unit 11 are characters for digital trading cards, and as described below, the generated characters are displayed as digital trading cards. Furthermore, the predetermined attributes of the character may be selected arbitrarily, but may also be configured to generate parameters indicating the character's performance, attacks and other actions performed against the opponent character in the battle that are included in the battle content described below, as predetermined attributes.

[0014] The character ID generation unit 12 generates a character ID for identifying a character. The character ID is a character string that combines a predetermined number of predetermined character types. In one example of this embodiment, the character ID is a character string that can be entered into a comment field on the video distribution platform 2 (described later), and is configured by combining uppercase and lowercase letters and a predetermined number of numbers, for example, 8 to 12 characters, and is associated with the character and recorded in the database 16. As described above, the character ID is a character string that a user enters into a comment field on the video distribution platform to identify the character and have the characters battle each other. However, the character ID may be used as information for identifying the character in the game device 1 and the database 16, or other identification information may be provided.

[0015] In this example of the present embodiment, the character generation unit 11 generates the characters used in the fighting game provided by the game device 1, but the fighting game may be played using characters other than the generated characters. For example, an arbitrary image selected by the user may be used as a character, or an avatar representing the user may be used as a character.

[0016] The message analysis unit 13 analyzes chat messages entered in a chat box on the video distribution platform 2, which will be described later, and executes a predetermined process. In one example of this embodiment, the predetermined process is to place the character indicated by the character ID in a waiting state for a match if part or all of the chat message is the character ID described above. While the specific manner in which the waiting state for a match is realized may be selected arbitrarily, in one example of this embodiment, the game device 1 is provided with a match queue (not shown) that stores character IDs on a first-in, first-out basis, and the message analysis unit 13 stores the character ID in the match queue if part or all of the analyzed message is a character ID. As described above, the match queue is a first-in, first-out queue, and characters indicated by the character IDs stored first compete in a knockout-style match game provided by the game device 1.

[0017] The match implementing unit 14 determines the outcome of a match between characters. As described above, in one example of this embodiment, the game provided by the game device 1 is a knockout type match game between characters, in which the first match is between two characters waiting to be matched, and thereafter, matches are held between the character who won the previous match and a character waiting to be matched.

[0018] The battle video distribution unit 15 distributes the content of the battle between the characters whose results were generated by the battle implementation unit, i.e., a video showing the process and results of the battle, using the video distribution platform 2 described below. The video distributed by the battle video distribution unit 15 may be generated at any timing based on the determination of victory or defeat by the battle implementation unit 14, or may be a video pre-recorded in a storage device provided in the game device 1 or in a database 16 described below. In one example of this embodiment, however, the video is generated using a learning model generated by machine learning, as described below. The content of the battle may be selected arbitrarily, and in one example of this embodiment, the characters of both battles take turns attacking or taking other actions against the opposing character, and the character who first reduces the opposing character's stamina to zero is declared the winner.

[0019] Database 16 is a database that manages information used by game device 1. In one example of this embodiment, database 16 is specifically an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) built in game device 1, but the specific configuration of database 16 may be changed as desired, and for example, a predetermined area of ​​a storage device included in game device 1 may be used as database 16.

[0020] In one example of this embodiment, the game device 1 is configured using a well-known server computer. A program that causes the server computer to function as the game device 1 is pre-recorded on a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or other storage device of the server computer. The recorded program is loaded into the memory of the server computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU), causing the server computer to function as the game device 1. The hardware configuration of the game device 1 may be changed as desired; for example, the game device 1 may be configured using two or more computers. The computer that constitutes the game device 1 may be a well-known computer depending on the required performance, etc. A personal computer may be used instead of the server computer, or the game device 1 may be configured using computing resources provided via a network 4 as a so-called cloud service.

[0021] The video distribution platform 2 is an information system that distributes videos to users. The video distribution device in one example of this embodiment includes a video distribution unit 21 that distributes videos to a user terminal 3 (described later), a chat unit 22 where users viewing the videos input and view chat messages, and a video distribution instruction unit 23 that receives video distribution instructions from the game device 1. Note that the video distribution platform 2 may be YouTube, Niconico Video, or another well-known video distribution platform, and the video distribution platform 2 may be a single video distribution platform or two or more video distribution platforms.

[0022] In this example of the present embodiment, the game device 1 and the user terminal 3 are configured to communicate directly with the video distribution platform 2, but the specific configuration for communication with the video distribution platform 2 and sending and receiving information may be changed as desired, and for example, a device may be provided that relays between the video distribution platform 2 and the user terminal 3. In this case, the game device 1 may also be configured to function as the relay device.

[0023] The user terminal 3 is a terminal used by a user of the game device 1. The user terminal 3 may be configured using a known computer, such as a desktop personal computer, a laptop personal computer, or a smartphone, tablet computer, or other mobile terminal. In one example of this embodiment, the user terminal 3 includes a display or other display unit 31, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or other input unit 32, and a web browser 33.

[0024] The network 4 is a computer network that communicatively connects the game device 1, the video distribution platform 2, and the user terminal 3. The network 4 may be a well-known computer network, such as the Internet or another wide area network. Furthermore, as described above, when a wide area network is not required, such as when connecting to the video distribution platform 2 via a relay device, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) built on a wide area network may be used.

[0025] The above is the configuration of the game device 1 in one example of this embodiment. Next, character generation in this example of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of character generation in this example of this embodiment.

[0026] In one example of this embodiment, the character generation function is provided as a web application. Game device 1 functions as a web application server, and when a user accesses a predetermined URL (Unified Resource Locator) of game device 1 using web browser 33 of user terminal 3, a character generation screen is displayed on the web browser of user terminal 3 (step S11).

[0027] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the character generation screen W1 in one example of this embodiment. The character generation screen W1 is an initial screen that is displayed when a user accesses the above-mentioned predetermined URL, and as shown in FIG. 3, the character generation screen W1 includes an image W11, a title W12, an explanatory text W13, and a start creation button W14.

[0028] When the user operates the user terminal 3 to press the creation start button W14, the character generation screen W1 transitions to a keyword input screen. In the keyword input screen, the user inputs a predetermined number of keywords (step S12). In this example of the present embodiment, the user inputs a total of two keywords, a first keyword and a second keyword.

[0029] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a keyword input screen W2 in one example of this embodiment. The keyword input screen W2 includes a title W21, an image W22, a description W23, a first keyword input form W24a, a second keyword input form W24b, and a character generation button W25.

[0030] When the user operates the user terminal 3 to input a first keyword into the first keyword input form W24a, input a second keyword into the second keyword input form W24b, and press the character generation button W25, the screen transitions from the keyword input screen W2 to a character generation waiting screen, and the character generation unit 11 of the game device 1 generates a character based on the input first and second keywords (step S13).

[0031] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the character generation waiting screen W3 in one example of this embodiment. The character generation waiting screen W3 is composed of a title W31, an image W32, and a waiting time W33.

[0032] Specifically, step S3 in this example of the present embodiment is composed of character content generation (step S13a) and character image generation (step S13b).

[0033] In step S13a, the character's content is generated, including a character name, predetermined attributes, and a character description. While any specific generation method may be selected, in one example of this embodiment, the character's content is generated using a trained model generated by machine learning. The trained model may be configured to be included in the game device 1, or may be configured to use a well-known generation AI service available via the network 4.

[0034] In step S13b, an image showing the character's appearance is generated based on the content of the character generated in step S14. The specific method for generating the image may be selected arbitrarily, and for example, the image may be generated using a trained model generated by machine learning. The trained model may be provided in game device 1, or a well-known generation AI service available via network 4 may be used.

[0035] In step S13, when the above-mentioned steps S13a and S13b are completed, the content and image of the generated character are recorded in the database 16.

[0036] Once character generation in step S13 is complete, a character ID is then generated by the character ID generation unit of game device 1 (step S14). As described above, the character ID in this example embodiment is a string of characters that combines predetermined character types to identify a character, and in step S14, a character ID is generated by randomly selecting one character from the predetermined character type a predetermined number of times. The generated character ID is associated with the character indicated by the character ID and recorded in database 16.

[0037] When steps S13 and S14 are completed, the character generation waiting screen W3 transitions to a character screen, and the generated character is displayed (step S15). Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the character screen W4 in one example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the character screen W4 includes a character area W41, a keyword area W42, and an operation area W43.

[0038] The character area W41 is an area that displays the image and details of the generated character. The character area W41 includes a character image W41a that displays the character image generated in step S13b, a character name W41b that displays the details of the character generated in step S13a, character attributes W41c, and character description W41d. As described above, the characters in this example embodiment are characters on digital trading cards, and the character area W41, which includes the character image W41a to character description W41d, is configured so that it can be viewed as a rectangular digital trading card.

[0039] The keyword area W42 is an area for displaying the keywords used to generate the character, and includes a first keyword W42a and a second keyword W42b.

[0040] The operation area W43 is an area that displays buttons and other components for performing predetermined operations on the generated character. The operation area W43 includes a download button W43a for downloading the character area W41 as an image, a share button W43b for posting the character area W41 as an image to a well-known SNS service, a character ID W43c for displaying the character ID generated in step S4, a copy button W43d for copying the generated character ID, and an exit button W43e for ending character generation and transitioning to the initial screen.

[0041] This completes the flow of character generation in one example of this embodiment. Note that in this example of this embodiment, there is no limit to the number or types of characters that one user can generate, but whether or not to impose limits on character generation may be selected at will. For example, a limit may be placed on the number and types of characters that can be generated for users who use game device 1 for free, while users who pay a fee may be allowed to generate characters of all types as many times as they like without such limits.

[0042] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, a character ID is generated by the character ID generation unit 12 for a character generated by the character generation unit 11, but it is also possible to generate a character using any image, or to generate a character ID for a well-known character so that a competitive game can be played.

[0043] Next, the flow of the battle game in one example of this embodiment will be described. Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the battle game in one example of this embodiment.

[0044] As described above, the game device 1 in one example of this embodiment provides a fighting game between characters used by users using the video distribution platform 2. The fighting game in one example of this embodiment is a knockout type game, and the winner of one fight will face off against a character waiting for a fight in the next fight.

[0045] When a user accesses a predetermined URL using the web browser 33 of the user terminal 3, the video distribution platform 2 displays a video distribution screen on the web browser 33 (step S21).

[0046] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video distribution screen W5 in one example of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the video distribution screen W5 includes a video area W51 that displays the video to be distributed, a chat area W52 where users can communicate in real time via messages, a distribution title W53 that displays the title of the video to be distributed, and a distributor W54 that displays information about the distributor distributing the video.

[0047] The chat area W52 is composed of a message area W52a that displays sent messages in chronological order linked to an icon indicating the sender, and a message input form W52b where users can input messages. Users participating in a competitive game input the character ID of the character they will use in the competitive game into the message input form W52b (step S22).

[0048] The chat message input by the user is analyzed by the message analysis unit 13 of the game device 1, and a predetermined process is executed. In one example of this embodiment, the predetermined process is to put the character indicated by the character ID into a battle waiting state when part or all of the chat message is a character ID (step S23). Note that how the message analysis unit 13 of the game device 1 acquires the chat message from the video distribution platform 2 may be selected arbitrarily depending on the specifications of the video distribution platform 2 and other factors, and may be configured, for example, to periodically request the chat unit 22 of the video distribution platform to acquire messages from the game device 1.

[0049] As described above, in one example of this embodiment, the game device 1 has a battle queue, and in step S23, the character ID is stored in the battle queue. The battle queue is a first-in, first-out queue, and if another character ID is already stored in the battle queue, the newly stored character ID is stored at the end of the battle queue. Note that the specific method for placing a character in a battle queue state may be changed as desired, and for example, the database 16 may be configured to have a table that stores battle queue characters linked to their order or storage date and time.

[0050] Next, a battle between characters is conducted by the battle conducting unit of the game device 1 (step S24). In step S24, first, the characters to be battled are determined (step S24a). As described above, the battle game in this example of the present embodiment is a knockout battle game, and a character who wins one battle will battle one of the characters waiting for a battle in the next battle. In this example of the present embodiment, the game device 1 has a battle queue, and character IDs indicating characters waiting for a battle are stored in the battle queue. When step S24 is first executed, it waits until two or more character IDs are stored in the battle queue, and determines the characters indicated by the first and second character IDs to be the characters to be battled. When step S24 is executed for the second time or later, it waits until the outcome of the previous battle is determined or video distribution of the previous battle is completed and one or more character IDs are stored in the battle queue, and determines the character who won the previous battle and the character indicated by the character ID stored at the top of the battle queue to be the characters to be battled.

[0051] Once the characters to compete have been determined, the match implementing unit 14 then determines whether the characters have won or lost (step S24b). Any method for determining the winner may be selected, and for example, which character has won may be determined based on the attributes of both competing characters. As described above, in one example of this embodiment, the fighting game provided by the game device 1 is a knockout type fighting game, and the character that wins in step S24b will compete against the character identified by the character ID stored at the top of the battle queue in the next step S24.

[0052] When step S24 is completed, the game device 1 generates a video showing the details of the battle based on the outcome determined in step S24 (step S25). Any method for generating the video may be selected, but in one example of the present embodiment, the video is generated using a trained model generated by machine learning that generates a video showing the details of the battle based on the competing characters and the determined outcome. The trained model may be configured to be included in the game device 1, or may be configured to use a well-known video generation AI service available via the network 4.

[0053] Upon completion of step S25, the game device 1 distributes the video generated in step S25 (step S26). In step S26, the video generated in step S25, along with a distribution schedule for the video and other settings, are transmitted to the video distribution platform 2. The video distribution instruction unit 23 of the video distribution platform 2 accepts the transmitted video and distribution settings for the video, and plays the video in the video area W51 of the video distribution screen W5 displayed on the web browser 33 of the user terminal 23 based on the accepted settings.

[0054] 9 is a diagram showing the progress of a battle displayed on the video streaming screen W5 in one example of this embodiment. The video area W51 of the video streaming screen W5 displays a stamina gauge W51a for each of the characters competing, a character name W51b, and an image W51c of the character currently competing. Additionally, the character who won the previous battle displays a winning streak W51d, and a status description W51e explaining the current situation is displayed at the bottom of the video area W51. As mentioned above, the characters in this example of this embodiment are digital trading cards, and the character image W51c is displayed as a rectangular digital trading card, similar to the character area W41 in the character screen W4.

[0055] This completes the description of one example of this embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, in one example of this embodiment, the message analysis unit 13 of the game device 1 analyzes a message entered in a chat box on the video platform 2, and as a predetermined process, if part or all of the chat message is a character ID, puts the character indicated by the character ID into a waiting state for a battle. However, as the predetermined process, for example, if the chat box has a so-called super chat or other charging function, the charging function may be used to strengthen a character currently playing or waiting for a battle.

[0056] Furthermore, in the competitive game in one example of this embodiment, steps S21 to S26 are executed sequentially, but for example, steps S24 to S26 may be executed repeatedly in parallel with steps S21 to S23. In this case, the timing for starting step S24 may also be selected arbitrarily, and for example, after the outcome of one match has been determined, step S24 and subsequent steps for the next match may be executed before the video distribution of that match is completed.

[0057] Furthermore, the competitive game in one example of this embodiment is a knockout competitive game, but when the winner of one match plays the next match, they may play in a state where they have been damaged or have been affected by a certain factor related to the previous match.

[0058] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, the character ID generation unit 12 generates a character ID for the character generated by the character generation unit 11, but it may also be possible to generate an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) or other information for the generated character.

[0059] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, the game device 1 provides a one-on-one fighting game, but the specific content of the fighting game may be changed as desired, and for example, a team consisting of multiple characters may be created to provide a many-on-many fighting game.

[0060] Other specific configurations are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Game device 11 Character Generation Unit 12 Character ID generation unit 13 Message Analysis Unit 14 Competition Department 15. Battle Video Streaming Department 16 Databases 2. Video streaming platform 21 Video Distribution Department 22 Chat Club 23 Video distribution instruction section 3. User terminal 31 Display section 32 Input section 33 Web browser 4 Network

Claims

1. A game device that uses a video distribution platform to provide a fighting game between characters used by users, a character ID generation unit that generates an ID for the character; a message analysis unit that analyzes a message entered by the user in a predetermined chat box of the video distribution platform and executes a predetermined process; a match execution unit that determines the outcome of a match between the characters in a match waiting state; a match video distribution unit that distributes a video showing the content of the match using the video distribution platform; Equipped with When the message is partly or entirely an ID of the character, the predetermined process puts the character indicated by the ID into the waiting state for a battle. A game device characterized by:

2. The game device further comprises: a character generation unit that generates the character based on a keyword input by the user; 2. The game device according to claim 1.

3. The character is a digital trading card character.

3. The game device according to claim 2.

4. A program that causes a computer to function as the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images