Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a new audience participation type platform to a live distribution game by providing an audience with a participation means to the live distribution game through voting.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprising: a voting control unit that controls display of a voting event on a terminal of a viewer when a start condition of the voting event related to a game being live-streamed is satisfied, receives a vote from the terminal of the viewer in response to an operation on the voting event, and counts votes received from one or more viewers; and a game control unit that causes a predetermined game effect to be exhibited in the game being live-streamed based on a counting result of the votes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, live streaming platforms have become a popular way of enjoying games, where players broadcast gameplay videos and viewers watch them. These platforms not only allow viewers to watch gameplay videos, but also offer technologies that foster a sense of unity between the broadcaster and the viewers, and among viewers themselves, thereby enhancing viewers' interest.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that displays and controls on a terminal screen not only a video streamed from a streaming player, but also a game in which the viewing user is a player, and that awards the streamer rewards such as improved rankings depending on the viewing user's gameplay performance.

[0004] Patent Document 2 also discloses a system that changes the screen configuration of the viewer terminal when certain conditions are met during live viewing, thereby enabling, for example, a function to accept evaluations and rewards for the distribution player. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-071960 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-171282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In both of the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, viewers grant rewards to players streaming the game, but they do not influence the elements of the game being streamed; instead, viewers are merely spectators watching the game. However, if viewers could be provided with a means to influence the elements of the game being streamed, they could become involved in the game as participants rather than just spectators. This allows the streaming player and viewers to share the fun of the game that cannot be conveyed by just watching, creating a sense of unity and excitement between the two parties.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a new viewer participation platform for live streaming games by providing viewers with a means of participating in live streaming games through voting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has a voting control unit that controls the display of a voting event related to a game being live-streamed on a viewer's terminal when the start conditions of the voting event are met, accepts votes from the viewer's terminal in response to operations for the voting event, and tallying up votes accepted from one or more viewers, and a game control unit that exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the results of the vote tally. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by providing viewers with a means of participating in live streaming games through voting, a new viewer participation platform for live streaming games can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a server and a terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a play information DB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration displayed on an image output device of a terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as necessary, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment. The game system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a server 100, a plurality of player terminals 200, and a plurality of viewer terminals 300. The server 100, the player terminals 200, and the viewer terminals 300 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, or mobile communication.

[0013] The server 100 is a device that provides game content to the player terminals 200, executes some of the game processing, and live-streams the game being played by the player terminals 200 to the viewer terminals 300, thereby providing a viewer participation platform for the game to the terminals 200, 300. The server 100 may independently provide the function of executing game processing and the function of live-streaming game videos, or the server 100A that executes game processing and the server 100B that live-streams game videos may jointly provide the functions related to the game system 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the servers 100A and 100B will not be distinguished from each other and will be referred to simply as "server 100." However, this embodiment is not limited to a single server providing the function of executing game processing and the function of live-streaming game videos.

[0014] For convenience, the player terminal 200 used by the player and the viewer terminal 300 used by the viewer will be described separately due to the difference in users, but their functional configurations can be the same, and it is possible to watch game videos on the player terminal 200 and play games on the viewer terminal 300.

[0015] Furthermore, the server 100 of this embodiment executes processing related to a predetermined voting event in a game being live-streamed, and executes processing to exert a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the results of the vote count. More specifically, the server 100 controls the display of the voting event on the display device of the viewer terminal 300, accepts votes, and counts the results. Then, the server 100 executes processing to exert a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the results of the vote count.

[0016] This allows the server 100 to provide viewers with a means of participating in a game being live-streamed by using a voting event. Furthermore, if each viewer gives a reward, the effect of the reward may become excessive depending on the number of viewers, but by using a method that reflects the voting results as the game effect, the game effect can be controlled regardless of the number of viewers, and game balance can be maintained.

[0017] The server 100 may be configured from one or more information processing devices, or may be configured using a virtual server (such as a cloud server).

[0018] The player terminal 200 is an information processing device used by a player who distributes a game, and the player can enjoy the game by operating the terminal 200. The player terminal 200 may distribute information related to the progress of the game to the server 100 in real time.

[0019] The player terminal 200 is, for example, a computer such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, a personal computer, an arcade game device, or a consumer game device, etc. The player terminal 200 may also be a stationary game device suitable for game play.

[0020] The viewer terminal 300 is an information processing device used by a viewer who watches a live-streamed game video. For example, the viewer terminal 300 can receive information about the progress of the game in real time and use that information to generate and display a game screen. This allows the viewer to view the same game screen as the player views while playing the game, at approximately the same time as the player.

[0021] Furthermore, when the viewer terminal 300 receives information about the voting event from the server 100, it controls the display of the voting event on its display device. Then, the viewer terminal 300 transmits information about the options to be voted for to the server 100 in response to the viewer's input operation regarding the voting event.

[0022] The viewer terminal 300 is, for example, a computer such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, a personal computer, an arcade game device, or a consumer game device.

[0023] <Game Overview> The game system 1 according to this embodiment provides, for example, a synchronous competitive or cooperative action game in which characters controlled by players at each terminal compete against each other in real time on a game field. Here, competitive refers to a game in which characters controlled by players compete against each other, and cooperative refers to a game in which characters controlled by players cooperate to accomplish a predetermined mission. A game may also have aspects of both competitive and cooperative types. An example of such a game is a game in which players are divided into multiple teams and the teams compete against each other.

[0024] The genre of such an action game is not particularly limited, but examples include battle action games, shooting games, racing games, and sports games.

[0025] In the following, a synchronous cooperative battle action game will be described as an example, but the games provided by the game system 1 according to this embodiment are not limited to this.

[0026] In a synchronous cooperative battle action game, for example, a plurality of characters controlled by players cooperate to accomplish a predetermined mission in a predetermined game field.

[0027] In addition to character objects operated by each player, various field objects such as buildings and plants, item objects, and enemy objects (hereinafter also referred to as "NPCs (non-player characters)") may be placed on the game field. These objects may be collectively referred to as game objects.

[0028] Field objects are not particularly limited, but examples include natural objects such as plants, ponds, mountains, hills, and weather, as well as artificial objects such as bridges, buildings, and traps. These may be used in the game by the character controlled by the player to utilize or destroy, to restrict the character's actions, or to inflict penalties on the character.

[0029] Item objects are not particularly limited, but examples include equipment items such as weapons and armor, recovery items that recover HP or status abnormalities, auxiliary items that improve status, and combat items that affect the opponent's HP or status.

[0030] There are no particular limitations on enemy objects, but examples include boss characters and weak characters.

[0031] The above missions may include not only a main mission, which is the final goal, but also sub-missions, which are elements that allow players to play the game for a long time. For example, a main mission may be defeating a boss in the game field. Sub-missions may include collecting predetermined items, defeating predetermined enemies other than the boss, reaching a predetermined position in the game field, destroying predetermined field objects, etc.

[0032] <Hardware configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 100, the player terminal 200, and the viewer terminal 300. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 100, the player terminal 200, and the viewer terminal 300 typically include one or more processors 110, a communication interface 120 that controls wired or wireless communication, an input / output interface 130, a memory 140, a storage 150, and one or more communication buses 160 for interconnecting these components, which cooperate to realize the processes, functions, or methods described in this disclosure.

[0033] The processor 110 executes processes, functions, or methods implemented by code or instructions contained in a program stored in the memory 140. The processor 110 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphical processing unit (GPU).

[0034] The communication interface 120 transmits and receives various data to and from other information processing devices, such as the server 100, the player terminals 200, and the viewer terminals 300, via a network. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. For example, the communication interface 120 may be implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various types of communication software, or a combination of these.

[0035] The input / output interface 130 includes an input device for inputting various operations to the server 100, the player terminals 200, and the viewer terminals 300, and an output device for outputting the results of processing performed by the server 100, the player terminals 200, and the viewer terminals 300. For example, the input / output interface 130 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and / or a microphone, and output devices such as a display, a touch panel, and / or a speaker.

[0036] The player terminal 200 may have a game controller as an input device. The game controller may be connected to the player terminal 200 by wire, for example, or may be connected to the player terminal 200 wirelessly in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0037] The game controller may have one or more buttons, etc., and may transmit output values ​​based on user input operations on the buttons, etc. to the player terminal 200. The game controller may also have various motion sensors, such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and may transmit output values ​​from the various sensors to the player terminal 200.

[0038] The memory 140 temporarily stores programs loaded from the storage 150 and provides a working area for the processor 110. The memory 140 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 110 is executing the programs. The memory 140 may be, for example and without limitation, a high-speed random access memory such as a ROM, a DRAM, an SRAM, a DDR RAM, or another random access solid-state storage device, or a combination thereof.

[0039] Storage 150 stores programs, various functional units, and various data. Storage 150 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Storage 150 may be, for example and without limitation, a magnetic disk storage device, an optical disk storage device, a flash memory device, or a non-volatile memory such as other non-volatile solid-state storage devices, or a combination thereof. Another example of storage 150 may be one or more storage devices installed remotely from processor 110.

[0040] <Function block configuration> (server) 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of server 100. Server 100 includes a storage unit 170 and a control unit 180. Storage unit 170 can be realized using storage 150 included in server 100. Furthermore, control unit 180 can be realized by processor 110 of server 100 executing a program stored in storage 150.

[0041] The storage unit 170 stores various data, such as user information for users of the viewer participation platform, game programs provided by the platform, play information relating to the progress of games being live-streamed, etc. The storage unit 170 may include, for example, a user information DB 171, a play information DB 172, various game programs, and various data required for games.

[0042] 4 shows an example of the user information DB 171. The user information DB 171 may store, for example, an ID (user ID) that uniquely identifies a user, information about other users who are registered as friends or followed, information about followers, etc. The term "user" shall include both players and viewers.

[0043] Furthermore, information regarding points that users can earn when they play or watch a game may be stored in the user information DB 171. These points will be described in a modified example.

[0044] Furthermore, although not shown, the user information DB 171 may store location information of the terminals 200, 300 used by the user, the user's experience points, the user's rank, the user's stamina, and the IDs of items possessed by the user, all in association with each other.

[0045] 5 shows an example of the play information DB 172. The play information DB 172 may store, for example, an ID (play ID) that uniquely identifies each play of the game, player information related to the user IDs of participating players and the status of players during play, information related to enemy objects such as enemies, the time elapsed since the start of the play, the number of viewers watching the play, the start conditions for a voting event, and options for the voting event.

[0046] The play information DB 172 contains information about the play status of a specific game being live-streamed, and may be registered and updated as the game progresses. For example, information about the completion of main missions and sub-missions may be updated as the game progresses, and various information such as the status of characters operated by the player, NPCs such as bosses, and positions within the game field may be updated as the game progresses.

[0047] The play information DB 172 may also store information about the results of votes tallied by the vote control unit 183 (described later) and information about videos of games that are live-streamed.

[0048] The start conditions, options, and missions of a voting event vary depending on the type of game, but may also vary for each play of the same game, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, for example, from 10 start conditions of a voting event prepared in advance for a given game, three start conditions of a voting event may be randomly set when play begins and associated with a play ID. The same can be done for the options and missions of a voting event.

[0049] In the viewer participation platform, multiple types of games may be provided, and the game programs themselves and various data used in the games may be stored separately in the storage unit 170 of the server 100 (not shown). Alternatively, the game programs themselves and various data used in the games may be stored in the storage unit 270 of the player terminal 200, and the player terminal 200 may read the data and perform game control processing.

[0050] Continuing the explanation, returning to Figure 3, the control unit 180 includes a synchronization control unit 181, a game control unit 182, and a vote control unit 183.

[0051] The synchronization control unit 181 uses the communication interface 120 to execute a process of synchronizing the player terminals 200 participating in the game via the network N. More specifically, the synchronization control unit 181 may accept a request to start a game from a player terminal 200, set a play ID for the game to be started, and associate the play ID with a user ID (player terminal 200) to be synchronized.

[0052] At this time, the synchronization control unit 181 may match and synchronize any player terminal 200 in response to a request to start a game from the player terminal 200, or may synchronize the specified player terminals 200 if an opponent is specified.

[0053] Furthermore, the synchronization control unit 181 may refer to the user information DB 171 and transmit a notification that the game is about to start to the terminals 200, 300 of the user IDs of friends or followers associated with the user IDs of the users participating in the game. This makes it possible to guide a certain number of viewers to the game video.

[0054] The synchronization method is not particularly limited and may be any known method. For example, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 may receive character operation information and information on game effects resulting from the operation from a player terminal 200, and transmit the information to other player terminals 200 associated with the same play ID.

[0055] The synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 also executes a process for live streaming of game videos to the viewer terminals 300. The above-described synchronization technology does not have to be used for live streaming of game videos. For example, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 may generate link information, such as a URL corresponding to a play ID, linked to the game video data to be live streamed, and may live stream the game video by publishing the link information. This allows the terminals 200 and 300 to view the live streamed game video by accessing a page within the platform to which the link information is attached.

[0056] The game video data associated with the link information may be stored in the play information DB 172.

[0057] When the synchronization control unit 181 synchronizes the multiple player terminals 200, the game control unit 182 references the game program and various data stored in the memory unit 170, starts the game, and executes various controls necessary to progress the game in accordance with the player's operations.

[0058] Note that, when the player terminal 200 has a part of the game program and various data, the game control unit 182 of the server 100 may receive information relating to the player's operations from each player terminal 200 and execute various controls as necessary, and the synchronization control unit 181 may transmit information relating to the operations of other players to each player terminal 200. In this case, it is the player terminal 200 that mainly executes the processing according to the game program.

[0059] Furthermore, the game control unit 182 accesses the play information DB 172 as the game progresses and executes processing to register or update various information. For example, when the character operated by the player sustains damage, the game control unit 182 records the damage, and when the character moves, it updates the position information. Furthermore, when a sub-mission is accomplished, the game control unit 182 records that fact.

[0060] Furthermore, the game control unit 182 ends the game when a predetermined game ending condition is met. For example, the game control unit 182 can end the game when a main mission is accomplished or a time limit expires. When the game control unit 182 ends the game, the synchronization control unit 181 may cancel synchronization.

[0061] Furthermore, as will be described later, the game control unit 182 can create a predetermined effect in the game based on the results of the votes tallied by the vote control unit 183. This provides viewers with a means of participating in the live streaming game through voting, thereby providing a new viewer participation platform for the live streaming game.

[0062] The voting control unit 183 refers to the play information DB 172, and when a start condition for a voting event related to a game being live-streamed is satisfied, controls the display of the voting event on the viewer terminal 300. For example, the voting control unit 183 can control the display of the voting event on the viewer terminal 300 when a condition based on the progress of the game or a condition related to the viewing situation is satisfied.

[0063] Here, the conditions for starting a voting event related to the progress of the game are not particularly limited, but may include, as shown in Figure 5, time-related conditions such as the amount of time elapsed since the start or the remaining time, conditions related to the progress of the game such as completing a mission, defeating an NPC, or reaching a specified position within the game field, conditions related to a player's critical situation such as damage taken or the number of remaining players, and the occurrence of other specific events during gameplay.

[0064] Furthermore, the conditions for starting a voting event regarding the viewing status of a game are not particularly limited, but may include conditions regarding the number of viewers, the cumulative number of viewers, and viewing time.

[0065] Although the above example uses a synchronous cooperative battle action game, the conditions for starting the voting event may differ for each game.

[0066] Furthermore, the types of options presented by the voting event are not particularly limited, but taking a synchronous cooperative battle action game as an example, options related to the player character, such as recovery and power-up or power-down of the player character, options related to NPCs, such as the appearance of a new boss or power-up or power-down of existing NPCs (including bosses), options related to field objects, such as the destruction or appearance of field objects such as natural objects and artificial objects, and options related to item objects, such as the appearance of various items.

[0067] The vote control unit 183 accepts votes from the viewer terminals 200 in response to operations for the voting event, and tallies the votes accepted from one or more viewers. Then, the game control unit 182 exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the tallying results.

[0068] There are no particular limitations on the method for determining the game effect to be exerted based on the tallying results, but for example, the voting control unit 183 may tally the number of votes for each option and determine to exert the game effect that received the most votes, or may determine to exert the game effect for one or more options that have received a number of votes above a certain threshold.

[0069] The voting control unit 183 can end the voting event when a predetermined end condition is met, and the game control unit 182 can exert a predetermined game effect on the game after the voting event ends. The end condition is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, the expiration of a predetermined voting time or the achievement of a predetermined target number of votes.

[0070] (Terminal) 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the terminals 200 and 300. In the following, the player terminal 200 used by the player and the viewer terminal 300 used by the viewer will be described together, assuming that they have the same configuration.

[0071] The terminals 200 and 300 include a storage unit 270 and a control unit 280. The storage unit 270 can be realized using the storage 150 included in the terminals 200 and 300. The control unit 280 can be realized by the processor 110 of the terminals 200 and 300 executing a program stored in the storage 150.

[0072] The storage unit 270 stores play information 271 relating to games that the user has played and games that the user is currently playing. The storage unit 270 may also store various game programs and various data necessary for the games. The various game programs and various data necessary for the games may be downloaded from the server 100, or may be read from an optical disk storage device or flash memory device in which the game programs are stored.

[0073] The control unit 280 includes a communication unit 281, a display control unit 282, and a game control unit 283.

[0074] The communication unit 281 has a function of using the communication interface 120 to perform various communications with the server 100, such as sending and receiving information about game videos that are synchronized or live-streamed, and information about voting events.

[0075] For example, to synchronize, the communication unit 281 of the player terminal 200 can transmit information regarding the operation of characters in the game being played, the game progress, etc. to the server 100, and can also receive information regarding the operation of characters in the game, the game progress, etc. of other player terminals 200 from the server 100.

[0076] In addition, in order to watch game videos and participate in voting events, the communication unit 281 of the viewer terminal 300 can receive information about game videos and voting events from the server 100, and can also transmit information about the options voted for to the server 100.

[0077] The communication unit 281 may store the above-mentioned information transmitted to and received from the server 100 in the storage unit 270.

[0078] The display control unit 282 can control the display of each piece of information received by the communication unit 281 from the server 100 on an image output device such as a display or touch panel of the terminal 200, 300. Note that the display control unit 282 may also be responsible for controlling the output of audio to an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0079] For example, the display control unit 282 of the player terminal 200 can control the display of information relating to the operation of a character of another player terminal 200, the progress of the game, and the like, received from the server 100, on the image output device of the player terminal 200. Furthermore, the display control unit 282 of the player terminal 200 may control the display of a processing result output by the game control unit 283 based on an operation using a game controller or the like connected to that player terminal 200, on the image output device of the player terminal 200.

[0080] Furthermore, the display control unit 282 of the viewer terminal 300 can control the display of information about the game video and information about the voting event received from the server 100 on the image output device of the viewer terminal 300.

[0081] Fig. 7 shows one example of an image displayed on the image output device of the viewer terminal 300. Fig. 7 shows a screen D1 before the start of the voting event, a screen D2 during the voting event, a screen D3 while the game effect due to the voting event is being exerted, and a screen D4 after the voting event has ended.

[0082] Screens D1 to D4 shown in Figure 7 display and control a video display area OB1 that displays a game video being live streamed, a voting event display area OB2 that displays information about a voting event linked to the play ID of the video displayed in the video display area OB1, and a comment display area OB3 that displays information about comments linked to the play ID.

[0083] In the video display area OB1 of the screens D1 to D4, the display control unit 282 controls the display of the game video based on the information about the game video received from the server 100.

[0084] The video display area OB1 may be divided into the number of player viewpoints, and a video from each viewpoint may be displayed. In addition to the game video, the video display area OB1 may also display information such as player information relating to the player's user ID and the player's status during play, enemy object information, and the elapsed time since the start of the play. This information may be displayed either superimposed on the video or not.

[0085] In the voting event display area OB2 of the screens D1 to D4, the display control unit 282 controls the display of the voting event based on the information about the voting event received from the server 100.

[0086] 7, the display control unit 282 displays the progress status up to the start condition of the voting event in the voting event display area OB2. By displaying the progress status OB21 up to the start condition of the voting event in this way, the viewer can gauge the timing until the voting event occurs, and can avoid missing the voting event that starts suddenly.

[0087] Furthermore, when displaying the progress status OB21 of the voting event start conditions on the screen D1 before the start of the voting event, the start conditions may be arranged in order of which start conditions are most likely to be achieved. In this case, the voting control unit 183 of the server 100 may determine the order of the start conditions using the estimated time required to achieve each start condition. For example, the voting control unit 183 of the server 100 may periodically calculate the estimated time required to achieve each start condition, associate the estimated time with each start condition, store the estimated time in the play information DB 172, and transmit it to the viewer terminal 300. The display control unit 282 of the viewer terminal 300 may then arrange the start conditions from the top of the screen in order of the shortest estimated time.

[0088] 7, the display control unit 282 displays options OB22 for the voting event in the voting event display area OB2. When the viewer performs an operation to select one of the displayed options OB22, the display control unit 282 of the viewer terminal 300 transmits information about the selected option to the server 100.

[0089] At this time, the display control unit 282 of the viewer terminal 300 may display an object (not shown) indicating the voting time limit in the voting event display area OB2 while the voting event is starting, or may display an object (not shown) indicating the selection status of options by other viewers.

[0090] 7, the display control unit 282 receives from the server 100 a game image in which the game control unit 182 of the server 100 has activated the game effect OB11, and controls the display of the game image. At this time, the display control unit 282 may highlight an option related to the activated effect.

[0091] The screen D4 after the voting event ends shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the screen D1, and the display control unit 282 displays the progress up to the starting condition of the voting event in the voting event display area OB2.

[0092] The game control unit 283 provides various functions necessary for executing the game by cooperating with the server 100. For example, the game control unit 283 provides a function for acquiring, from the server 100, various information (icon image data, text data, etc.) for drawing on the game screen.

[0093] In the above, the terminals 200 and 300 have been described as having the configuration of mobile terminals, but the configuration is essentially the same for PC terminals and other built-in game devices.

[0094] <Processing Procedure> Next, an operational process of the game system 1 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. Fig. 8 shows a processing sequence of the game system 1 configured by the server 100 and the terminals 200 and 300.

[0095] (Start Sync) In step S801, the game control unit 283 of the player terminal 200a makes a request to the server 100 to start a game. At this time, if the viewer participation platform provided by the server 100 has multiple game types, the request to start the game includes information that identifies the game owner. The request to start the game may also include the user IDs of other players who will participate in the started game.

[0096] In step S702, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 sets a play ID to the game play related to the game start request. At this time, the game control unit 182 of the server 100 may prepare to start the game based on the game program and various data necessary for the game progress. In parallel with this, the game control unit 182 may store the start conditions and voting options of the voting event in the play information DB 172 in association with the play ID.

[0097] In step S703, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 can accept a request from another player to join the game. In step S704, the game control unit 283 of the player terminal 200b can make a request to the server 100 to join a play that is currently accepting participants. The synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 may also match any player terminal 200 and allow the player terminal 200 to participate in the game.

[0098] At this time, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 may also solicit viewers to watch the play before it starts. For example, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 may post information about the play before it starts on a predetermined page of the viewer participation platform, or may send a notification that the play will soon begin to the user IDs of the participating players' friends and followers.

[0099] In step S705, when the participants gather, the synchronization control unit 181 of the server 100 starts synchronization of the terminals 200a, 200b, and 300. In addition, the game control unit 182 of the server 100 creates a game field and starts the game based on the game program. As a result, the player terminals 200a and 200b are synchronized (step S706), and distribution of live images of the game to the viewer terminal 300 begins (step S707).

[0100] In step S708, the voting control unit 183 of the server 100 controls the display of the voting event on the viewer terminal 300 when the start condition of the voting event for the game being live-streamed is satisfied.

[0101] In step S709, the display control unit 282 of the player terminal 200a, 200 outputs options related to the voting event to the image display device and accepts the selection. Then, the display control unit 282 of the player terminal 200a receives information related to the voted options via the communication unit 281 (step S710).

[0102] In step S711, the vote control unit 183 of the server 100 tally the votes obtained as described above, and the game control unit 182 exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the tallying results (step S712).

[0103] Finally, in step S713, when a predetermined game ending condition such as clearing the main mission or running out of time is met, the game control unit 182 of the server 100 ends the game, and the synchronization control unit 181 ends synchronization.

[0104] In the game system 1 provided by the server 100 according to the present embodiment described above, viewers can influence the game in real time through voting, which can create a greater sense of unity in live streaming games.

[0105] <Variation 1> Modification 1 relates to the manner of options that the vote control unit 183 controls to display on the viewer's terminal in the voting event and the game effects based on those options.

[0106] The types of options presented depend on the type of game, but include options related to game objects such as options related to player characters, options related to enemy objects, options related to field objects, and options related to item objects.

[0107] As a presentation mode of such options, the vote control unit 183 can, for example, display one game object as an option, or display multiple game objects as options.

[0108] Furthermore, the game control unit 182 can exert a predetermined game effect related to the game object selected based on the tallying result. For example, the game control unit 182 can cause the game object selected based on the tallying result to appear or change in the game.

[0109] Examples of ways in which a single game object may be displayed as an option include an option that asks whether or not to make a single game object, such as a new enemy object, item object, or field object, appear, or an option that asks whether or not to change the state of a single game object, such as an existing enemy object, item object, or field object.

[0110] Here, "change" includes not only changes that change the characteristics of the game object, such as increasing or decreasing the status of an enemy object, or weakening or strengthening the effect of an item object, but also changes that cause an enemy object to disappear or destroy a field object.

[0111] In addition, the destruction or appearance of a field object may bring about game effects such as changing the range of action of enemy objects in the game field, or adding methods of attack or defense using the destroyed or appeared field object.

[0112] Also, examples of modes in which multiple game objects are displayed as options include an option in which an item object to be made to appear is selected from multiple item objects, an option in which an enemy object to be made to appear is selected from multiple enemy objects, etc. In addition, options such as selecting an effect to be imparted to a specific enemy object from multiple effects are also included.

[0113] In addition, in options such as allowing the player to select an effect to be imparted or to select one or more enemy objects to impart the effect to, the game effects that the game control unit 182 exerts include an effect of increasing or decreasing the status of an enemy object, an effect of imparting a specific skill or specific restriction to an enemy object, an effect of imparting a role to an enemy object, and the like.

[0114] Here, examples of the role include a role in which the player is targeted and chased, and a role in which the player chases a target. When the player defeats the targeted role, the player may receive a predetermined incentive as part of the game effect.

[0115] Furthermore, although the above describes game objects other than player characters, the voting control unit 183 may display one or more players or player characters of the game as options for the voting event, and the game control unit 182 may exert a predetermined game effect on the player character operated by the player selected by the tallying results or the player character selected by the tallying results.

[0116] Examples of such options include an option that allows a player to select an effect to be imparted from among a plurality of effects for a specific player or player character, and an option that allows a player or player character to be selected from among a plurality of players or player characters to whom a specific effect is to be imparted. In an option that allows a player to select an effect to be imparted or to select one or more players or player characters to impart an effect, the game effects exerted by the game control unit 182 include the same effects as those described above for enemy objects.

[0117] In particular, when a player or player character is selected and a role is assigned to the player or player character, the position of the player or player character can be changed before and after the role is assigned, thereby introducing new developments into the game. For example, by setting the roles of a selected player or player character as one who is pursued and one who pursues other players or player characters, a new element of player-versus-player can be added to player characters who have been cooperating to pursue enemy objects up until that point. Alternatively, by setting the selected player or player character as one who is likely to be targeted by enemy objects or one who is likely to be protected, an element that makes the strategy for conquering the game more retroactive can be added while maintaining the cooperative nature of the player characters.

[0118] The game control unit 182 may set parameters for the game object selected based on the tallying result, depending on the tallying result. For example, when an enemy object is made to appear, the game control unit 182 may make the parameters of the enemy object stronger or weaker depending on the tallying result. Similarly, when an effect is applied to increase or decrease the player character's status, or when an item object is made to appear, the degree of the effect (parameter) can be set depending on the tallying result.

[0119] This makes it possible, for example, for a stronger enemy object to appear the more votes viewers have, so that the game effects desired by viewers can be achieved during the game through voting.

[0120] <Variation 2> Modification 2 relates to an aspect in which the voting control unit 183 selects an option in accordance with the progress of the game in a voting event, and controls the display of the selected option on the viewer's terminal.

[0121] For example, if the game is progressing in a way that is advantageous to the player when voting begins, the voting control unit 183 may present an option to increase the difficulty of the game, such as the appearance of a new boss, or if the game is progressing in a way that is disadvantageous to the player when voting begins, the voting control unit 183 may present an option to lower the difficulty of the game, such as recovering the player.

[0122] This makes it possible to adjust the game difficulty during play, and viewers can be involved in such difficulty adjustments through voting. In particular, by increasing the difficulty level when the player is progressing in an advantageous position, a sense of unity can be fostered as the player and viewers work together to conquer a more difficult game. Furthermore, by lowering the difficulty level when the player is progressing in an unfavorable position, a structure in which viewers help the player can be created, which also fosters a sense of unity. In this way, by having the voting control unit 183 select options depending on the progress of the game, an even more exciting game can be played.

[0123] As a specific example of processing when the voting control unit 183 selects an option depending on the progress of the game, the voting control unit 183 may determine whether the progress of the game is favorable or unfavorable to the player when the start conditions are met, and based on the determination result, select an option that increases the difficulty level or an option that decreases the difficulty level from the options in the voting event.

[0124] Here, the determination of whether the game progress is advantageous or disadvantageous to the player may be made based on, for example, the player's status and the NPC's status (remaining HP, etc.).

[0125] Furthermore, the options for the voting event may be classified in advance into those that increase the difficulty of play and those that decrease it, or the options for the voting event may be associated with a value that serves as an index regarding the increase or decrease in difficulty.

[0126] Examples of options that increase the difficulty of play include making enemy objects appear, increasing the status of enemy objects, and decreasing the status of the player character. If the game is completed while the effect of an option that increases the difficulty of play has been exercised, the player may receive a predetermined incentive as part of the game effect.

[0127] Options for increasing the difficulty of play include increasing the player character's status, imparting skills, or imparting items, or decreasing the status of enemy objects.

[0128] <Variation 3> Variation 3 relates to an aspect in which, instead of simply tallying the number of votes for each option without weighting them, the voting control unit 183 changes the weight of each vote based on information about the viewer and outputs the vote tally results according to the weighting.

[0129] For example, the vote control unit 183 can perform tallying after multiplying the votes by an arbitrary coefficient based on the degree of use of the platform as information about the viewer so that the votes of viewers with high usage levels are given more weight.

[0130] The degree of platform usage is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, the number of plays, the number of views, the number of followers, the number of friends, other parameters indicating the relationship with players, the amount of charges, the user's rank, etc. "Relationship with players" may include, for example, the number of votes and support that a player has given to support a game in which the player is participating.

[0131] <Variation 4> Variation 4 relates to a mode in which points or the like are given to users on a viewer participation platform.

[0132] For example, after a game ends, the game control unit 182 may award play points to players who participated in the game, or award viewer points to viewers who watched the game. At this time, the game control unit 182 can update information related to play points and viewer points in the user information DB 171 (see FIG. 4).

[0133] Since these play points and view points are accumulated by playing or viewing games, they can be used as an indicator of the degree to which a user uses the audience participation platform. For example, these points may be used as a parameter for weighting in the above-mentioned Variation 3.

[0134] These points may also be exchanged for items such as items that can be used in games or avatars that can be used on the viewer participation platform.

[0135] <Variation 5> The fifth modification relates to an aspect in which the game control unit 182 changes the weight of the game effect to be exerted based on the vote tally result or the game viewing status, and exerts the game effect based on the weight.

[0136] The game control unit 182 may, depending on the number of viewers or the result of the vote count, etc., increase the weight of the game effect the larger these values ​​are, and decrease the weight of the game effect the smaller these values ​​are. Here, the result of the vote count may be the number of votes for the selected option, or the total number of votes including the number of votes for the options not selected.

[0137] For example, if the vote count results in the appearance of a boss, the more votes the stronger the status of the boss that appears, and vice versa. Also, if the vote count results in the destruction of a field object, the more votes the stronger the degree of destruction, and vice versa. Alternatively, if the vote count results in the improvement of the player character's status, the more votes the stronger the effect of the status improvement, and vice versa.

[0138] This allows the game effects to be controlled so that, for example, the more popular a game video is with a large number of viewers, the more dynamic the effect of voting will be. Also, if a particular option is receiving an exceptionally large number of votes, that is, the more strongly the viewer desires the option, the more dynamic the effect of voting will be. By adjusting the game effects in this way, it is possible to use voting to create game developments that viewers are particularly interested in, which is expected to further enhance the sense of unity between players and viewers.

[0139] In the above embodiment, if the server 100A that controls the game and the server 100B that distributes game videos are configured separately, the server 100A may be configured to transmit instruction information to the server 100B to start the voting event when it determines that the start conditions of the voting event are met. In this case, the instruction information may include information on the content of the voting event and the end conditions. After the voting event based on the instruction information ends, the server 100B transmits the vote tally results for the voting event to the server 100A. After obtaining the vote tally results from the server 100B, the server 100A may determine a game effect according to the tally results and apply the determined game effect to the game being played.

[0140] <Summary> According to the embodiment described above, by providing viewers with a means of participating in a live-streamed game through voting, a new viewer participation platform for live-streamed games can be provided. Furthermore, compared to a system in which viewers individually reward players, a method that reflects the voting results as game effects allows game effects to be controlled independently of the number of viewers. Therefore, even if the number of viewers increases, players and many viewers can come together to share and enjoy game content without disrupting the game balance.

[0141] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The sequences described in the embodiments, the elements included in the embodiments, and their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc. are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other.

[0142] <Additional Notes> <Appendix 1> a voting control unit that controls the display of a voting event related to a game being live-streamed on a viewer's terminal when a start condition of the voting event is satisfied, accepts votes from the viewer's terminal in response to operations on the voting event, and tallying up votes accepted from one or more viewers; and a game control unit that exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the vote count result. Information processing device.

[0143] According to Appendix 1, by providing viewers with a means to participate in live-streamed games through voting, a new viewer participation platform can be provided for live-streamed games.

[0144] <Appendix 2> the voting control unit displays one or more game objects as options for the voting event; the game control unit exerts a predetermined game effect on the game based on the game object selected by voting; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0145] According to Supplementary Note 2, it is possible to vote for a game object and to exert a game effect based on that game object.

[0146] <Appendix 3> the game control unit causes the game object selected by the vote to appear or change in the game; 3. The information processing device according to claim 2.

[0147] According to Supplementary Note 3, it is possible to exert a game effect such as making a selected game object appear or changing its state.

[0148] <Appendix 4> the game control unit sets parameters of the game object selected by the vote in accordance with the tallying result; 4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

[0149] According to Appendix 4, it is possible to change the weight of the game effect to be exerted depending on the aggregation results.

[0150] <Appendix 5> the voting control unit displays one or more players of the game as options for the voting event; the game control unit exerts a predetermined game effect on the game object operated by the player selected by voting; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0151] According to Supplementary Note 5, it becomes possible to impart a predetermined game effect to the player character operated by the player.

[0152] <Appendix 6> the voting control unit displays the voting event on the terminal of the viewer when a condition based on the progress of the game is satisfied; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0153] According to Appendix 6, it will be possible to set progress-based conditions as the trigger for voting events.

[0154] <Appendix 7> the voting control unit causes the voting event to be displayed on the terminal of the viewer when a condition based on a viewing status of the voting event is satisfied. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0155] According to Supplementary Note 6, it becomes possible to set a condition based on the viewing status of the voting event as a condition for starting the voting event.

[0156] <Appendix 8> the voting control unit ends the voting event when a predetermined ending condition is met; the game control unit exerts a predetermined game effect on the game after the voting event ends; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0157] According to Appendix 8, the game effect can be realized after the voting event ends.

[0158] <Appendix 9> the vote control unit changes the weight of the vote for each of the viewers in accordance with information associated with the viewer's account; the game control unit exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on a counting result according to the weight of the votes of each of the viewers. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

[0159] According to Appendix 9, it will be possible to obtain aggregated results with adjusted voting weights based on the degree of use of the viewer participation platform.

[0160] <Appendix 10> an information processing device executes a process of controlling the display of a voting event related to a game being live-streamed on a viewer's terminal when a start condition of the voting event is satisfied, accepting votes from the viewer's terminal in response to an operation on the voting event, and tallying up the votes accepted from one or more viewers; an information processing device executes a process of exerting a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the result of the vote count; Information processing methods.

[0161] According to Appendix 10, by providing viewers with a means to participate in live-streamed games through voting, a new viewer participation platform can be provided for live-streamed games.

[0162] <Appendix 11> In the information processing device, a step of displaying and controlling a voting event on a viewer's terminal when a start condition for the voting event related to a game being live-streamed is satisfied, accepting votes from the viewer's terminal in response to an operation on the voting event, and tallying up the votes accepted from one or more viewers; and exerting a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the result of the vote count. program.

[0163] According to Appendix 11, by providing viewers with a means to participate in live-streamed games through voting, a new viewer participation platform can be provided for live-streamed games. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 100...server, 110...processor, 120...communication interface, 130...input / output interface, 140...memory, 150...storage, 160...communication bus, 170...storage unit, 180...control unit, 181...synchronization control unit, 182...game control unit, 183...voting control unit, 200...viewer terminal, 200, 200a, b...player terminal, 270...storage unit, 271...play information, 280...control unit, 281...communication unit, 282...display control unit, 283...game control unit, 300...viewer terminal

Claims

[Claim 1] a voting control unit that controls the display of a voting event related to a game being live-streamed on a viewer's terminal when a start condition of the voting event is satisfied, accepts votes from the viewer's terminal in response to operations on the voting event, and tallying up votes accepted from one or more viewers; and a game control unit that exerts a predetermined game effect on the game being live-streamed based on the vote count result. Information processing device.

Images