Program and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To enliven a game moving image.SOLUTION: The program causes the computer to function as first acquisition means 84 for acquiring a game video, specification means 86 for specifying a game related to the acquired game video, second acquisition means 88 for acquiring reference information for a viewer of the game video, the reference information being of a different type depending on the game specified by the specification means 86, and synthesis means 90 for synthesizing the game video acquired by the first acquisition means 84 and the reference information acquired by the second acquisition means 88.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique for distributing game videos showing the content and state of a game being played by a player.

[0003] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that various information along with the progress of the game is added to the game video as commentary content and displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6098691 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the types of information added to game videos are predetermined, so there are cases where the types of information that are useful to viewers are not displayed, and the game videos being distributed are sometimes not very exciting.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a program and an information processing device that can liven up distributed game videos. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the program according to the first aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a first acquisition means for acquiring a game video being distributed, an identification means for identifying the game related to the game video acquired by the first acquisition means, a second acquisition means for acquiring reference information for viewers of the game video, which is different types of reference information depending on the game identified by the identification means, and a synthesis means for synthesizing the game video acquired by the first acquisition means and the reference information acquired by the second acquisition means.

[0008] In addition, in the program according to the second aspect of the present invention, the identification means identifies the broadcaster or player related to the game video, and the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, different types of broadcaster information or player information depending on the broadcaster or player identified by the identification means.

[0009] In addition, in the program according to a third aspect of the present invention, the computer is further made to function as a receiving means for receiving a setting of the type of reference information from the broadcaster or the player before the game video is broadcast, and the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, broadcaster information or player information of the type for which the setting has been received by the acceptance means.

[0010] In addition, in the program related to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the identification means identifies content that appears in the game video, and the second acquisition means acquires different types of content information as the reference information depending on the content identified by the identification means.

[0011] In addition, in the program according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the identification means identifies the progress of the game related to the game video, and the second acquisition means acquires different types of content information as the reference information depending on the progress identified by the identification means.

[0012] In addition, an information processing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a first acquisition means for acquiring a game video being distributed, an identification means for identifying a game related to the game video acquired by the first acquisition means, a second acquisition means for acquiring reference information for viewers of the game video, which is different types of reference information depending on the game identified by the identification means, and a synthesis means for synthesizing the game video acquired by the first acquisition means and the reference information acquired by the second acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to liven up the game videos being distributed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a video distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a first server illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the viewer terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the viewer terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow executed by a video distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A is a diagram showing an example of the game basic information acquired by the second acquisition means, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing another example of the game basic information acquired by the second acquisition means. [Figure 7] 10A is a diagram showing an example of distributor information acquired by a second acquisition means, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing another example of distributor information acquired by a second acquisition means. [Figure 8] 10A is a diagram showing an example of content information acquired by a second acquisition unit, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing another example of content information acquired by a second acquisition unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a final moving image. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow executed by a video distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0016] ---First embodiment--- First, a video distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a video distribution system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1, a video distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment includes one or more distributor systems 10, a management system 20, a distribution server 30, and one or more viewer terminals 40. These systems or terminals are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet or telephone lines.

[0018] The distributor system 10 is a system that provides a distribution server 30 with a distributed game video that combines a game video of a game being played by a player P with a live video showing the distributor's commentary on the game and / or the game being played. The games are not particularly limited, but examples include fighting games, shooting games, racing games, role-playing games, puzzle games, adventure games, and music games. The game video may also feature content, particularly characters, that are controlled by a player. When player P is defined as a player, the game video may also feature other characters controlled by other players.

[0019] The broadcaster system 10 described above includes, for example, a broadcaster terminal 12 and a commentary device 14. The broadcaster terminal 12 is a device that accepts operations from a broadcaster, i.e., a player P, to execute a game and generate a video of the game. Examples of the broadcaster terminal 12 include a personal computer, a game console, an arcade game machine, a smartphone, and a tablet. The commentary device 14 is configured with a camera, a microphone, and the like, and generates a video of the broadcaster commenting on and / or playing the game. Note that, although the first embodiment describes a case where the player P and the broadcaster (commentator) are the same person, the player P and the broadcaster may be different people. If the player P and the broadcaster are different people, the broadcaster system 10 may be provided with a game terminal capable of executing a game based on operations from the player P, in addition to the broadcaster terminal 12.

[0020] The management system 20 stores and manages various information about the game, the player P, etc. Such management system 20 includes, for example, a first server 22 and a second server 24. The first server 22 receives and stores operation information of the player P at the broadcaster terminal 12 and event information about events that occur in the game based on the operation information from the broadcaster terminal 12. The second server 24 stores broadcaster information, player information, and content information as reference information. Examples of operation information include information such as pressing the right button, pressing the up button, pressing the attack button, and pressing the technique button on a controller (not shown) connected to the broadcaster terminal 12. The event information includes content operated by the player P, such as, if a character appears in the game video, action information of the character and status information of the character. Examples of action information include attack, defense, technique, magic, special effect, movement, jump, etc. Examples of character status information include defending, confused, sleeping, unable to act, stunned, and combo in progress. Streamer information includes the streamer's number of streams, stream ranking, stream history, and stream performance including the number of viewers, as well as age, name, nickname, gender, team, and contact information. Player information includes name, nickname, age, gender, team, contact information, habits, and hobbies. Player information also includes game performance including game history, play time, tournament participation history, ranking, number of matches, past opponents, and win rate. Content information also includes status such as hit points, attack power, and defense power, as well as the degree of limit breakthrough, rarity, win rate, selection rate, ranking, special moves, equipment, and formation.

[0021] The distribution server 30 is configured to manage one or more distributed game videos and distribute them to the viewer terminal 40.

[0022] The viewer terminal 40 synthesizes (adds) reference information for the viewer to the game video streamed by the distribution server 30, and outputs the synthesized video (hereinafter referred to as the "final video") to the viewer. Examples of the reference information include player information, distributor information, and basic game information. Examples of basic game information include the game name, match name, quest name, quest boss information, quest difficulty level, and tournament table.

[0023] <Hardware configuration> Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the first server 22 shown in Fig. 1. The hardware configuration of the second server 24 is also similar to that of the first server 22. 2, the first server 22 includes a control board 32, a communication device 35, and a storage device 36. The control board 32 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 33 and a memory 34.

[0024] The control board 32 functions as various functional components by the CPU 33 executing predetermined programs stored in the memory 34 or the storage device 36. Details of these functional components will be described later.

[0025] The communication device 35 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device, etc. The communication device 35 transmits and receives various information to and from the distributor terminal 12, for example.

[0026] The storage device 36 is configured with a hard disk, etc. The storage device 36 stores various programs and information required for executing processes on the control board 32, as well as information on the results of the processes.

[0027] The first server 22 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The first server 22 may be configured from a single information processing device or from multiple information processing devices distributed over a communication network NT. Fig. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the first server 22, and the first server 22 may have other configurations that are generally included in a server.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the viewer terminal 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the viewer terminal 40 includes, as its hardware configuration, a CPU 50, a memory 52, a display device 54, a sound output device 56, an input device 58, and a communication device 60.

[0029] The CPU 50 controls a display device 54, a sound output device 56, and the like.

[0030] The memory 52 stores various data and programs.

[0031] The display device 54 displays images and videos.

[0032] The sound output device 56 outputs sounds such as game animations.

[0033] The input device 58 inputs the viewer's operation information to the viewer terminal 40 .

[0034] The communication device 60 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with external devices, etc. The communication device 60 transmits and receives various information to and from the first server 22 and the second server 24, for example.

[0035] <Functional configuration> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the viewer terminal 40 shown in FIG. 4, the viewer terminal 40 has, as its functional components, a storage unit 80, a receiving unit 82, a first acquisition unit 84, an identification unit 86, a second acquisition unit 88, and a combining unit 90. These functional components are realized by the CPU 50 executing a program.

[0036] The storage means 80 stores setting information 80A. The setting information 80A is information indicating the type of reference information that the distributor or player P has set in advance.

[0037] The receiving means 82 has a function of receiving settings of the type of reference information from the distributor or player P before the distribution of the game video.

[0038] The first acquisition means 84 has a function of acquiring game videos distributed over the communication network NT.

[0039] The identification means 86 has a function of identifying the game related to the game video based on the game video acquired by the first acquisition means 84, information from the management system 20, etc. The identification means 86 may also identify the distributor or player P related to the game video based on the game video acquired by the first acquisition means 84, information from the management system 20, etc. The identification means 86 may also identify content appearing in the game video. The identification means 86 may also identify the progress of the game related to the game video.

[0040] The second acquisition means 88 has a function of acquiring different types of reference information for viewers of the game video depending on the game identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as the reference information, different types of broadcaster information or player information depending on the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. In particular, the second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as the reference information, broadcaster information or player information of the type for which the reception means 82 has accepted settings. The second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as the reference information, different types of content information depending on the content identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as the reference information, different types of content information depending on the progress status identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as the reference information, broadcaster information of a broadcaster related to the game video or player information of a player, particularly performance information, from the second server 24. In addition, the second acquisition means 88 may acquire, as reference information, operation information of player P when player P is playing the game related to the game video, and event information of an event that occurred in the game based on the operation information.

[0041] The combining means 90 has a function of combining the game video acquired by the first acquisition means 84 with the reference information acquired by the second acquisition means 88. In other words, the combining means 90 has a function of adding the reference information acquired by the second acquisition means 88 to the game video acquired by the first acquisition means 84. The combining means 90 may also have a function of combining the game video, operation information, and event information acquired by the first acquisition means 84. The combining means 90 combines the game video and the operation information so that the operation information can be viewed in chronological order. The combining means 90 may also combine the game video, operation information, and event information so that the event information can be compared with the operation information and viewed. The combining means 90 may also combine the game video, operation information of one player, and operation information of another player so that, when another player is playing the game related to the game video, the operation information of the other player can be compared with the operation information of the first player and viewed.

[0042] <Processing flow> 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the video distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the order and content of the processing of the following steps can be changed as appropriate.

[0043] (Step S10) In the distributor system 10, the distributor terminal 12 executes a game based on operation information of the player P. In this way, the player P plays the game. At this time, the distributor terminal 12 records (generates) a game video 100 of the game being played by the player P. In this game video 100, for example, a character C1 operated by one player P and a character C2 operated by another player appear. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0044] (Step S12) The distributor terminal 12 stores the generated game video 100 in a synthesis area provided in the storage device as needed. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0045] (Step S14) In parallel with the processing of step S10, the commentary device 14 records (generates) a wipe showing the state of the player P commenting on and / or playing the game, i.e., a commentary video 102. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step S16.

[0046] (Step S16) The distributor terminal 12 stores the generated live video 102 in a synthesis area provided in the storage device as needed. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0047] (Step S18) The distributor terminal 12 combines the game video 100 and the live video 102 stored in the combination area to generate the game video for distribution 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0048] (Step S20) The distributor terminal 12 transmits the generated distributed game video 104 to the distribution server 30. The distribution server 30 receives the distributed game video 104 from the distributor terminal 12. In response to this, the distribution server 30 stores the distributed game video 104 in its storage device so that it can be distributed to the viewer terminal 40, etc. Then, the processing proceeds to step S40.

[0049] (Step S22) In parallel with the processing of steps S10 and S14, the broadcaster terminal 12 or the commentary device 14 transmits operation information 112 of the player P while the player P is playing the game related to the game video 100, and event information 114 of an event that occurred in the game based on the operation information, to the first server 22 of the management system 20. The first server 22 receives and stores the operation information 112 and the event information 114 from the broadcaster terminal 12 or the commentary device 14. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step S40.

[0050] (Step S24) The distributor terminal 12 transmits timing information 116 indicating the occurrence timing of the event information 114 in the game video 100, and basic game information 118 such as the title name, character names, and organization information of the game related to the game video 100, to the first server 22. The first server 22 receives and stores the timing information 116 and basic game information 118 from the distributor terminal 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0051] (Step S40) The first acquisition means 84 of the viewer terminal 40 acquires the distributed game video 104 distributed by the distribution server 30 in response to manual or automatic selection by the viewer, and stores the acquired video in the storage means 80. Next, the identification means 86 of the viewer terminal 40 identifies the game related to the distributed game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84, based on information included in the distributed game video 104, information provided by the distribution server 30, etc. The identification means 86 may also perform image analysis of the distributed game video 104 to identify the game related to the distributed game video 104. The identification means 86 also identifies the player P related to the distributed game video 104, the content (characters C1 and C2) appearing in the distributed game video 104, and the progress of the game related to the distributed game video 104, based on information included in the distributed game video 104, information provided by the distribution server 30, information stored in the second server 24, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0052] (Step S42) The second acquisition means 88 of the viewer terminal 40 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, operation information 112 of the player P related to the game identified by the identification means 86, event information 114 of an event that occurred in the game based on the operation information 112, and timing information 116 from the first server 22. In addition, the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of game basic information 118 from the first server 22 depending on the game identified by the identification means 86.

[0053] Fig. 6(A) is a diagram showing an example of the game basic information 118 acquired by the second acquisition means 88. Fig. 6(B) is a diagram showing another example of the game basic information 118 acquired by the second acquisition means 88. As shown in FIG. 6(A), if the game identified by the identification means 86 has the title name "aaa," the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as game basic information 118, the title name 118A, as well as a quest name 118B and a quest difficulty level 118C according to the game "aaa" from the first server 22. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(B), if the game identified by the identification means 86 has the title name "bbb," the second acquisition means 88 acquires, in addition to the title name 118A, from the first server 22 the match name 118D and tournament table 118E, which are game basic information 118 that differs from the game "aaa" according to the game "bbb."

[0054] 5, the process proceeds to step S44. The order of steps S42 and S44 may be reversed.

[0055] (Step S44) The second acquisition means 88 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 from the second server 24 depending on the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 may also acquire broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 of the type indicated by setting information 80A previously set by the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 also acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of content information 124 from the second server 24 depending on the content identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 also acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of content information 124 from the second server 24 depending on the progress status identified by the identification means 86.

[0056] Fig. 7(A) is a diagram showing an example of distributor information 120 acquired by second acquisition unit 88. Fig. 7(B) is a diagram showing another example of distributor information 120 acquired by second acquisition unit 88. As shown in FIG. 7(A), if the distributor identified by the identification means 86 has a distributor name of "XXX", the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as distributor information 120, the distributor name 120A, as well as a ranking 120B and a past distribution history 102C according to the distributor "XXX" from the second server 24. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(B), if the broadcaster identified by the identification means 86 has a broadcaster name of "YYY", the second acquisition means 88 acquires from the second server 24, in addition to the broadcaster name 120A, broadcaster information 120 that differs from the broadcaster "XXX" according to the broadcaster "YYY", including hometown 120D and hobbies 120E.

[0057] Fig. 8(A) is a diagram showing an example of content information 124 acquired by second acquisition unit 88. Fig. 8(B) is a diagram showing another example of content information 124 acquired by second acquisition unit 88. As shown in Figure 8 (A), if the content identified by the identification means 86 has a content name (character name) of "c1123", the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as content information 124, in addition to the content name 124A, attributes 124B and rarity 124C according to the content "c1123" from the second server 24. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8(B), if the content identified by the identification means 86 has a content name (car name) of "c0022", the second acquisition means 88 acquires from the second server 24, in addition to the content name 124A, a maximum speed 124D and an engine name 124E, which are content information 124 that differs from the content "c1123" according to the content "c0022".

[0058] Returning to FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0059] (Step S46) The composition means 90 of the viewer terminal 40 renders the operation reference image 130 based on the operation information 112, event information 114, and timing information 116 acquired by the second acquisition means 88 so that the operation information 112 can be viewed in chronological order and so that the event information 114 can be viewed in comparison with the operation information 112. At this time, the composition means 90 renders the operation reference image 130 so that the operation information of the other player playing the game related to the distributed game video 104 can be viewed in a state that allows comparison with the operation information 112 of the one player P. Furthermore, the synthesis means 90 renders the reference menu image 140 based on the reference information 110 including the game basic information 118, the distributor information 120, the player information 122, and the content information 124 acquired by the second acquisition means 88 so that this information can be viewed. Then, the process proceeds to step S48.

[0060] (Step S48) The synthesis means 90 stores the operation guide image 130 obtained by rendering in the synthesis area of ​​the storage means 80. Then, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0061] (Step S50) The synthesis means 90 stores the reference menu image 140 obtained by rendering in the synthesis area of ​​the storage means 80. Then, the process proceeds to step S52.

[0062] (Step S52) The synthesis means 90 synthesizes the distributed game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84 with the operation guide image 130 and the guide menu image 140 stored in the synthesis area based on the timing information 116, to generate a final video 150. Then, the process proceeds to step S54.

[0063] (Step S54) The synthesizing means 90 outputs the generated final moving image 150 to the display device 54 and the sound output device 56 .

[0064] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the final moving image 150. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the final video 150 includes an operation guide image 130 and a reference menu image 140 in addition to a distributed game video 104 in which the game video 100 and the play-by-play video 102 are combined. In the operation guide image 130, the viewer can view, in chronological order, operation information 112, including operation information 112A of one player P and operation information 112B of another player. In addition, in the operation guide image 130, the viewer can view, in chronological order, event information 114, including action information 114A of character C1, action information 114B of character C2, status information 114C of character C1, and status information 114D of character C2. This information becomes part of the reference information 110 for the viewer. The status information 114C and status information 114D shown in FIG. 9 are displayed as bars, so that the viewer can also see, for example, the duration of an attack determination or a stiffness determination. The reference menu image 140 includes, as part of the reference information 110, basic game information 118, player information 122A of one player P, content information 124A of a character C1 operated by the one player P, player information 122B of another player, and content information 124B of a character C2 operated by the other player.

[0065] <Effects> As described above, in the first embodiment, the program causes the viewer terminal 40 as a computer to function as a first acquisition means 84 that acquires the distributed game video 104, an identification means 86 that identifies the game related to the game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84, a second acquisition means 88 that acquires reference information 110 for viewers of the distributed game video 104, which is different types of reference information 110 depending on the game identified by the identification means 86, and a synthesis means 90 that synthesizes the distributed game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84 and the reference information 110 acquired by the second acquisition means 88. According to this configuration, different types of reference information 110 are output along with the distributed game video 104 depending on the game, so that the types of reference information 110 that are useful to viewers are output, thereby making the distributed game video 104 more exciting.

[0066] Also, in the first embodiment, the identification means 86 identifies the broadcaster or player P related to the broadcast game video 104, and the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as reference information 110, different types of broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 depending on the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. According to this configuration, the type of distributor information 120 or player information 122 that is useful to viewers is output, and the distributed game video 104 can be made more exciting.

[0067] In addition, in the first embodiment, the program further causes the viewer terminal 40 to function as a reception means 82 that receives the setting of the type of reference information 110 from the broadcaster or player P before the broadcast game video 104 is distributed, and the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as the reference information 110, the broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 of the type for which the reception means 82 has received the setting. According to this configuration, the type of broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 that the broadcaster or player P wants to show is output, which can liven up the broadcast game video 104 and increase the broadcaster or player P's sense of satisfaction.

[0068] Also, in the first embodiment, the identification means 86 identifies the content that appears in the distributed game video 104, and the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as reference information 110, different types of content information 124 depending on the content identified by the identification means 86. According to this configuration, the type of content information 124 that is useful to the viewer is output, and the distributed game video 104 can be made more exciting.

[0069] Also, in the first embodiment, the identification means 86 identifies the progress of the game related to the distributed game video 104, and the second acquisition means 88 acquires different types of content information 124 as reference information 110 depending on the progress identified by the identification means 86. According to this configuration, the type of content information 124 that is useful to the viewer is output according to the progress of the game, and the distributed game video 104 can be made more exciting.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the program causes the viewer terminal 40 as a computer to function as a second acquisition means 88 that acquires the distributed game video 104, operation information 112 of player P while he is playing the game related to the distributed game video 104, and event information 114 of an event that occurred in the game based on the operation information 112, and a synthesis means 90 that synthesizes the distributed game video 104, operation information 112, and event information 114 acquired by the second acquisition means 88. With this configuration, not only operation information 112 but also event information 114 of events that occur in the game based on that operation information 112 is output, so viewers can immediately visually confirm the relationship between player P's operations and the events that occur as a result of those operations, such as when a certain operation is successful, how accurately a certain event occurs, or whether the player is reacting immediately to an attack. As a result, viewers can understand player P's operating habits, personality, play details, etc. at a glance, which can add excitement to the distributed game video 104.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the combining means 90 combines the distributed game video 104 and the operation information 112 so that the operation information 112 can be viewed in chronological order. This configuration allows viewers to view operation information 112 in chronological order, which can serve as a reference for future play, thereby making the distributed game video 104 even more exciting.

[0072] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the combining means 90 combines the distributed game video 104, the operation information 112, and the event information 114 so that the event information 114 can be compared with the operation information 112 and viewed. According to this configuration, the viewer can compare the event information 114, which serves as a reference for future play, with the operation information 112, and view it, thereby making the distributed game video 104 even more exciting.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a character C1 operated by the player P appears in the distributed game video 104, and the event information 114 includes action information and state information of the character C1. This configuration allows viewers to view action information and status information that will serve as reference for future play, making the distributed game video 104 even more exciting.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when player P is the first player, another character C2 operated by another player different from the first player P appears in the distributed game video 104, and the synthesis means 90 synthesizes the distributed game video 104, the operation information 112A of the first player, and the operation information 112B of the other player so that when the other player is playing the game related to the distributed game video 104, the operation information 112B of the other player can be compared with the operation information 112A of the first player and viewed. According to this configuration, viewers can view operation information 112A of one player and operation information 112B of another player together, which can make distributed game video 104 even more exciting.

[0075] ---Second embodiment--- Next, a video distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the rendering and compositing processes are performed by the management system 20, not the viewer terminal 40. That is, the first server 22 and / or the second server 24 of the management system 20 are provided with a storage unit 80, a receiving unit 82, a first acquisition unit 84, an identification unit 86, a second acquisition unit 88, and a compositing unit 90, which are functional configurations shown in FIG. 4. The following describes a case where the first server 22 has the above functional configuration.

[0076] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the video distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the order and content of the processing of the following steps can be changed as appropriate.

[0077] (Step S100) In response to manual or automatic selection by a viewer, the first acquisition means 84 of the first server 22 of the management system 20 acquires the distributed game video 104 distributed by the distribution server 30 and stores it in the storage means 80. Next, the identification means 86 of the first server 22 identifies the game related to the distributed game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84 based on information included in the distributed game video 104, information provided by the distribution server 30, etc. Furthermore, the identification means 86 identifies the player P related to the distributed game video 104, the content appearing in the distributed game video 104, and the progress of the game related to the distributed game video 104 based on information included in the distributed game video 104, information provided by the distribution server 30, information stored in the second server 24, etc. Then, the processing proceeds to step S102.

[0078] (Step S102) The second acquisition means 88 of the first server 22 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, operation information 112 of the player P related to the game identified by the identification means 86, event information 114 of an event that occurred in the game based on the operation information 112, and timing information 116 from the storage means 80 of the first server 22. In addition, the second acquisition means 88 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of game basic information 118 depending on the game identified by the identification means 86 from the storage means 80 of the first server 22. Then, the processing proceeds to processing of step S104.

[0079] (Step S104) The second acquisition means 88 acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 from the second server 24 depending on the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 may also acquire broadcaster information 120 or player information 122 of the type indicated by setting information 80A previously set by the broadcaster or player P identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 also acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of content information 124 from the second server 24 depending on the content identified by the identification means 86. The second acquisition means 88 also acquires, as part of the reference information 110, different types of content information 124 from the second server 24 depending on the progress status identified by the identification means 86. Then, the processing proceeds to step S106.

[0080] (Step S106) The compositing means 90 of the first server 22 renders an operation guide image 130 based on the operation information 112, the event information 114, and the timing information 116 acquired by the second acquisition means 88 so that the operation information 112 can be viewed in chronological order and so that the event information 114 can be viewed in comparison with the operation information 112. At this time, the compositing means 90 renders the operation guide image 130 so that, when another player is playing the game related to the distributed game video 104, the operation information of the other player can be viewed in a state that allows comparison with the operation information 112 of one player P. Furthermore, the synthesis means 90 renders a reference menu image 140 based on the reference information 110, including the game basic information 118, the distributor information 120, the player information 122, and the content information 124, acquired by the second acquisition means 88, so that this information can be viewed. Then, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0081] (Step S108) The synthesis means 90 stores the operation guide image 130 obtained by rendering in the synthesis area of ​​the storage means 80. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0082] (Step S110) The synthesis means 90 stores the reference menu image 140 obtained by rendering in the synthesis area of ​​the storage means 80. Then, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0083] (Step S112) The synthesis means 90 synthesizes the distributed game video 104 acquired by the first acquisition means 84 with the operation guide image 130 and the guide menu image 140 stored in the synthesis area based on the timing information 116, to generate a final video 150. Then, the process proceeds to step S114.

[0084] (Step S114) The synthesis means 90 transmits the generated final moving image 150 to the viewer terminal 40. The viewer terminal 40 receives the final moving image 150 from the first server 22. In response to this, the viewer terminal 40 outputs the received final moving image 150 to the display device 54 and the sound output device 56. Then, the process proceeds to step S116.

[0085] (Step S116) When the reception means 82 receives a viewer's selection of the reference information 110 displayed in the reference menu image 140 in the final video 150, it transmits the received selection information to the first server 22 or the second server 24. The first server 22 or the second server 24 receives the selection information from the viewer terminal 40. In response to this, the first server 22 or the second server 24 acquires detailed information about the reference information 110 indicated by the received selection information. The viewer terminal 40 then repeats the processes of steps S102 to S114 to make the detailed information about the reference information 110 viewable.

[0086] As described above, in the second embodiment, even if the performance of the viewer terminal 40 is low and it is difficult to perform processes such as rendering and compositing on the viewer terminal 40, the management system 20 performs processes such as rendering and compositing, so that the final video 150 can be output smoothly to the viewer terminal 40.

[0087] ---Variations--- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations of the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

[0088] For example, in the first embodiment, the first acquisition means 84 acquires the distributed game video 104, but the first acquisition means 84 may acquire the game video 100 before the play-by-play video 102 is composited.

[0089] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the distributor terminal 12 and the live commentary device 14 are separate devices. However, the distributor terminal 12 may have the functions of the live commentary device 14.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above first embodiment, the combining means 90 combines the distributed game video 104, the operation information 112, and the event information 114. However, the combining means 90 may analyze the personality, play content, play attitude, player level (skill level), operation habits, technique execution history, technique execution ranking, etc. of the player P based on the operation information 112 and the event information 114. In this case, it is preferable that the combining means 90 also combines the analysis results with the distributed game video 104.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above first embodiment, the case where the reference menu image 140 is included in the final video 150 has been described, but the reference menu image 140 may not be included. In this case, when the viewer selects a desired object (such as character C1) in the reference information 110 in the final video 150, the image of the reference information 110 indicated by the selected information is rendered and composited into the final video 150. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 22: First server (information processing device, computer), 40: Viewer terminal (information processing device, computer), 84: First acquisition means, 86: Identification means, 88: Second acquisition means, 90: Synthesis means

Claims

1. Computer, The first acquisition means for acquiring distributed game videos, an identification means for identifying a game related to the game video acquired by the first acquisition means; a second acquisition means for acquiring different types of reference information for viewers of the game video according to the game identified by the identification means; a combining means for combining the game video acquired by the first acquiring means and the reference information acquired by the second acquiring means; A program to function as a

2. The identification means identifies a distributor or a player related to the game video; the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, different types of broadcaster information or player information depending on the broadcaster or player identified by the identification means. The program according to claim 1.

3. Computer, and further functioning as a receiving means for receiving a setting of the type of the reference information from the distributor or the player before the distribution of the game video; the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, broadcaster information or player information of the type for which the setting has been accepted by the acceptance means. The program according to claim 2.

4. The identification means identifies content appearing in the game video; the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, different types of content information depending on the content identified by the identification means; The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the specifying means specifies a progress status of a game related to the game video; the second acquisition means acquires, as the reference information, different types of content information depending on the progress status identified by the identification means. The program according to claim 4.

6. A first acquisition means for acquiring a distributed game video; a specifying means for specifying a game related to the game video acquired by the first acquiring means; a second acquisition means for acquiring different types of reference information for viewers of the game video according to the game identified by the identification means; a combining means for combining the game video acquired by the first acquiring means and the reference information acquired by the second acquiring means; An information processing device comprising:

Images