GAME DEVICE, GAME DEVICE PROGRAM, GAME DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND GAME SYSTEM

Abstract

To inform a user of a game device of the degree of excitement of a game.SOLUTION: A control program PGg causes a processor 1001 of a game device 10 to function as: a game control part 111 which executes a soccer game and generates game moving image information JDH for display showing a moving image related to a soccer game; and a message processing part 112 which generates analysis information Jk analyzing a plurality of message information JMs outputted by a plurality of terminal devices 70 on the basis of message information JMs including message Ms related to at least either a game moving image DD for distribution or the soccer game outputted by each of a plurality of terminal devices 70 that allows the game moving image DD for distribution based on the image information JDH for display to be viewed. The game control part 111 imparts at least either a visual effect according to the analysis information Jk or an audio effect according to the analysis information Jk to a moving image related to the soccer game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A technology has been proposed for a video distribution system that includes a game device that runs a game and generates video information that shows video related to the game, and a terminal device that allows users to view distributed videos based on the video information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-134409 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a viewer who views a game-related distributed video on a terminal device is interested in a game being played on the game device, the viewer may post a message related to the game on a website such as a social networking service (SNS) site. In this case, the viewer of the website can know the degree of popularity of the game according to the posting status of messages related to the game on the website. However, there are cases where users who play the game on the game device and viewers of the game-related distributed video are unable to know the degree of popularity of the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of the problems to be solved is to provide technology that makes it possible to inform at least one of users playing a game on a game device and viewers of distributed videos related to the game of the level of excitement of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a processor of a game device to function as a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of the plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0007] In addition, a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of the plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0008] Furthermore, a control method for a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a processor of the game device to function as a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of the plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the message information includes a message related to the distributed video and / or the game, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0009] Furthermore, a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a game system comprising a game device that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and further comprising a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the analysis information is characterized in that the game device imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an overview of a video distribution system Sys according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a sequence chart showing an example of an outline of the operation of the video distribution system Sys. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of a display game video DH-1. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of the display game video DH-4. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of a game video for distribution DD. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an overview of an SNS site GS. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of a display game video DH-1. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of the display game video DH-4. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of a game video for distribution DD. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an outline of a display game moving image DH-1 during an out-of-play period TG2. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an outline of a display game moving image DH-1 during an out-of-play period TG2. [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a game device 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a game device 10. FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a message management server 30. FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a message management server 30. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a message management table TBL1. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a message insertion information table TBL2. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing a message acquisition process. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing a message analysis process. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing a message insertion process. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing a message insertion process. [Figure 22]13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing a message incorporation mode determination process. [Diagram 23] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when executing the presentation mode determination process. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an overview of a video distribution system Sys-A according to a first modified example. [Diagram 25] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a message management server 30A. FIG. [Figure 26] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game device 10A. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a device management table TBL11. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a team management table TBL12. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a message insertion information table TBL13. [Diagram 30] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when executing the match information generating process. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when executing a message acquisition process. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when executing a message embedding instruction information generating process. [Diagram 33] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when executing a message embedding instruction information generating process. [Diagram 34] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when executing a message incorporation mode determination process. [Diagram 35] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an overview of a video distribution system Sys-B according to a third modification. [Diagram 36]11 is a sequence chart showing an example of an outline of the operation of the video distribution system Sys-B. [Figure 37] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an outline of a video distribution screen DY. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. In addition, the embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are attached, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[0012] [A. Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] [1. Overview of video distribution system] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a video distribution system Sys according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the overview of the video distribution system Sys will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the video distribution system Sys includes a game system SysG including a plurality of game devices 10-1 to 10-M capable of playing a soccer game (one example of a "game"), a plurality of display devices 20-1 to 20-M provided corresponding to the plurality of game devices 10-1 to 10-M, a message management server 30 capable of communicating with the game devices 10 via a network NW, and a video editing device 40 capable of communicating with the game devices 10 via the network NW. Here, the value M is a natural number of 2 or more. Hereinafter, the m-th game device 10 among the plurality of game devices 10-1 to 10-M may be referred to as the game device 10-m. Here, the value m is a natural number satisfying 1≦m≦M. Hereinafter, the m-th display device 20 among the plurality of display devices 20-1 to 20-M may be referred to as the display device 20-m.

[0015] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the game device 10 is a home game device. However, any information processing device can be used as the game device 10. For example, the game device 10 may be a commercial game device installed in a store or amusement facility, a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, or a stationary information device such as a personal computer. In addition, in the present embodiment, a case where the game device 10 can communicate with the video editing device 40 via the network NW is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The game device 10 may be able to communicate with the video editing device 40 via a cable such as an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable.

[0016] 1, the video distribution system Sys includes a video distribution server 50 capable of communicating with the game system SysG via the network NW, an SNS server 60 capable of communicating with the game system SysG via the network NW, and a plurality of terminal devices 70-1 to 70-N capable of communicating with the video distribution server 50 and the SNS server 60 via the network NW. Here, the value N is a natural number of 2 or more. Hereinafter, the n-th terminal device 70 among the plurality of terminal devices 70-1 to 70-N may be referred to as the terminal device 70-n. Here, the value n is a natural number satisfying 1≦n≦N.

[0017] The terminal device 70 may be any information processing device that can be connected to the network NW, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a personal computer.

[0018] In this embodiment, the game device 10-m can display a video relating to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10-m on a display unit 21-m provided on a display device 20-m corresponding to the game device 10-m. Hereinafter, the video relating to the soccer game that the game device 10-m causes to be displayed on the display unit 21-m will be referred to as a display game video DH-m. In this embodiment, the display game video DH-m may be a display still image GH-m that is updated every unit period (for example, a period of 1 / 60th of a second). Here, the display still image GH-m is a still image that is displayed on the display unit 21-m in each unit period.

[0019] In this embodiment, one of the game devices 10-1 to 10-M, for example, the game device 10-1, can communicate with another game device 10, for example, the game device 10-2, via the network NW. Specifically, the game device 10-1 transmits information about the soccer game being executed on the game device 10-1 to the game device 10-2. Also, the game device 10-2 transmits information about the soccer game being executed on the game device 10-2 to the game device 10-1. Therefore, information about the soccer game being executed on each game device 10-m can be shared among the game devices 10-1 to 10-M. This allows the user U-1 of the game device 10-1 and the user U-2 of the game device 10-2 to form a team in the soccer game and cooperate with each other while progressing through the soccer game, or to compete in the soccer game (a match related to the soccer game).

[0020] In the following, as an example, it is assumed that the value M is a natural number equal to or greater than 6. In addition, in the following, as an example, it is assumed that in a soccer game, a user U-1 of the game device 10-1, a user U-2 of the game device 10-2, and a user U-3 of the game device 10-3 form a team T1 and cooperate with each other to progress in the soccer game. In addition, in the following, as an example, it is assumed that in a soccer game, a user U-4 of the game device 10-4, a user U-5 of the game device 10-5, and a user U-6 of the game device 10-6 form a team T2 and cooperate with each other to progress in the soccer game. In the following, as an example, it is assumed that the team T1 and the team T2 compete against each other in the soccer game. That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a soccer game is being executed in the game device 10-m.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a sequence chart for explaining an outline of the operation of the video distribution system Sys according to this embodiment.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, when the game devices 10-1 to 10-6 are playing a soccer game (S10), among the game devices 10-1 to 10-6, the game device 10-m supplies to the video editing device 40 display game video information JDH-m indicating a display game video DH-m relating to the soccer game being played on the game device 10-m (S12). Here, the display game video information JDH-m may be information showing in real time the display still image GH-m that is updated every unit period, or information showing a collection of multiple display still images GH-m that correspond one-to-one to multiple unit periods, or information to which audio related to a soccer game has been added.

[0023] Next, the video editing device 40 generates a game video for distribution DD, which is a video related to the soccer game being executed on the game devices 10-1 to 10-6, based on one or more pieces of game video for display information JDH-m supplied from some or all of the game devices 10-1 to 10-6, and supplies the game video for distribution information JDD, which is information indicating the generated game video for distribution DD, to the video distribution server 50 (S14).

[0024] Here, the game video for distribution DD may be a video generated based on a plurality of pieces of game video for display information JDH-m supplied from some or all of the game devices 10-1 to 10-6, or may be a video generated based on a single piece of game video for display information JDH-m supplied from one game device 10-m among the game devices 10-1 to 10-6. In this embodiment, the distribution game video DD may be a distribution still image GD that is updated every unit time. Here, the distribution still image GD may be an image including a still image identical to the display still image GH-m indicated by the display game video information JDH-m, or an image including a still image with a changed resolution of the display still image GH-m indicated by the display game video information JDH-m. In addition, the game video information JDD for distribution may be information showing in real time a still image GD for distribution that is updated every unit period, or information showing a collection of a plurality of still images GD for distribution that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of unit periods, or information to which audio related to a soccer game has been added.

[0025] Next, the moving image distribution server 50 supplies the game moving image information for distribution JDD supplied from the moving image editing device 40 to the terminal devices 70-1 to 70-N (S16). 1, the terminal device 70-n includes a display unit 71-n. When the terminal device 70-n receives game video information JDD for distribution from the video distribution server 50, the terminal device 70-n displays the game video DD for distribution indicated by the game video information JDD for distribution on the display unit 71-n.

[0026] Thereafter, when the user of the terminal device 70-n transmits message information JMs including the message Ms to the SNS server 60 (S18), the message management server 30 acquires the message information JMs from the SNS server 60 (S20).

[0027] Then, the message management server 30 supplies the acquired message information JMs to the game devices 10-1 to 10-6 (S22).

[0028] After that, the game device 10-m incorporates the message Ms contained in the message information JMs supplied in step S22 into the display game moving image DH under specific conditions (S24).

[0029] [2. Overview of videos generated in the video distribution system] Various types of moving images generated in the moving image distribution system Sys will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0030] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of a display game video DH-1 generated by game device 10-1, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of a display game video DH-4 generated by game device 10-4.

[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the display game moving image DH-m is a moving image showing the progress of a soccer game in a virtual space Fd such as a virtual soccer field. Specifically, in this embodiment, the display game video DH-m shows, for example, a player character CC-m, who is an operation target of a user Um, kicking a ball object OB in a virtual space Fd. Also, in this embodiment, the display game video DH-m shows, for example, a spectator character CK watching a soccer game behind a fence object OF in the virtual space Fd. Also, in this embodiment, the display game video DH-m includes, for example, a score image GP showing the situation of a goal in the soccer game.

[0032] The display game video DH-1 shown in Fig. 3 shows a soccer game proceeding in the virtual space Fd from a viewpoint that allows the user U-1 to easily control the player character CC-1, who is the operation target of the user U-1. Similarly, the display game video DH-4 shown in Fig. 4 shows a soccer game proceeding in the virtual space Fd from a viewpoint that allows the user U-4 to easily control the player character CC-4, who is the operation target of the user U-4.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of the game video for distribution DD generated by the video editing device 40. As shown in FIG.

[0034] In this embodiment, a case is assumed as an example where the video editing device 40 generates a game video for distribution DD based on a display game video DH-m corresponding to a user Um belonging to team T1 among users U-1 to U-6 and a display game video DH-m corresponding to a user Um belonging to team T2 among users U-1 to U-6. Note that Fig. 5 illustrates a case where the video editing device 40 generates a game video for distribution DD as a video including the display game video DH-1 shown in Fig. 3 and the display game video DH-4 shown in Fig. 4.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, the game video DD for distribution includes a game-specific string designation image GG indicating a soccer game-specific string, which is a string that identifies the game being executed on the game device 10-m, i.e., a soccer game, a team-specific string designation image GT-m indicating a team-specific string, which is a string that identifies the team to which the user Um belongs, a user-specific string designation image GN-m indicating a user-specific string, which is a string that identifies the user Um, and a user-captured video DU-m, which is a video captured of the user Um.

[0036] Here, the soccer game specific character string is a character string (e.g., a hashtag) to be added to a message Ms when a user of the terminal device 70-n posts a message Ms related to a soccer game to the SNS server 60. The team specific character string is a character string (e.g., a hashtag) to be added to a message Ms when a user of the terminal device 70-n posts a message Ms related to a team to which a user Um who is playing a soccer game belongs to the SNS server 60. The user specific character string is a character string (e.g., a hashtag) to be added to a message Ms when a user of the terminal device 70-n posts a message Ms related to a user Um who is playing a soccer game to the SNS server 60. Hereinafter, the soccer game specific character string, the team specific character string, and the user specific character string may be collectively referred to as specific character strings.

[0037] Note that Figure 5 illustrates an example in which the game video DD for distribution includes, in addition to the game video DH-1 for display and the game video DH-4 for display, a game-specific string designated image GG, a user-captured video DU-1, a user-specific string designated image GN-1, and a team-specific string designated image GT-1 corresponding to user U-1, and a user-captured video DU-4, a user-specific string designated image GN-4, and a team-specific string designated image GT-4 corresponding to user U-4.

[0038] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an overview of the SNS site GS provided by the SNS server 60. As shown in FIG.

[0039] 6, the SNS site GS has a plurality of message display areas Msg (Msg-1, Msg-2, Msg-3, ...) that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of pieces of message information JMs sent from users of the terminal devices 70-n. Each message display area Msg has a user name display area Ar1, a message body display area Ar2, a specific character string display area Ar3, a profile image display area Ar4, a consumed point display area Ar5, and a positive evaluation number display area Ar6.

[0040] Among these, the user name display area Ar1 displays, for example, the name of the user of the terminal device 70-n that transmitted the message information JMs to the SNS server 60, and the date and time when the message information JMs was transmitted from the terminal device 70-n. The message body display area Ar2 displays the message Ms included in the message information JMs transmitted from the terminal device 70-n to the SNS server 60. The specific character string display area Ar3 displays the specific character string included in the message information JMs transmitted from the terminal device 70-n to the SNS server 60. The profile image display area Ar4 displays the profile image of the user of the terminal device 70-n that transmitted the message information JMs to the SNS server 60.

[0041] In this embodiment, the user of the terminal device 70-n can consume points when sending to the SNS server 60 message information JMs including a message Ms related to one or both of a soccer game and a game video for distribution DD. Here, the "points" may be values ​​in the soccer game, such as virtual money that can be used in the soccer game, or may be values ​​in the real world, such as money that can be used in the real world. Furthermore, "consuming points" may be, for example, a user of the terminal device 70-n providing points to a user Um of the game device 10-m, a user of the terminal device 70-n providing points to the organizer of the soccer game, or a user of the terminal device 70-n exchanging points owned by the user of the terminal device 70-n for a product or service provided by a sponsor of the soccer game.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the user of the terminal device 70-n consumes points, the terminal device 70-n transmits message information JMs including consumed point information JPT to the SNS server 60. Here, the consumed point information JPT is information indicating a point value Pt indicating the quantity of consumed points when the user of the terminal device 70-n consumes points. Note that, although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the message information JMs includes user name information and message transmission date and time information in addition to message body information indicating the message Ms, specific character string information indicating a specific character string, and consumed point information JPT. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the SNS server 60 displays, in a consumed point display area Ar5, the point value Pt indicated by the consumed point information JPT contained in the message information JMs transmitted from the terminal device 70-n to the SNS server 60.

[0043] In this embodiment, the user of the terminal device 70-n can give a positive evaluation to the message Ms displayed on the SNS site GS. The SNS server 60 counts the number of positive evaluations given to each message Ms, and stores the count value as the number of positive evaluations Pf. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the SNS server 60 displays the positive feedback count Pf stored in the SNS server 60 in a positive feedback count display area Ar6.

[0044] As described above, the message management server 30 provides the game device 10-m with the message information JMs acquired from the SNS server 60. The message management server 30 also acquires the rating number information JPF from the SNS server 60, and provides the acquired rating number information JPF to the game device 10-m. Here, the rating number information JPF is information indicating the number Pf of positive ratings for the message Ms. As described above, the game device 10-m can incorporate the message Ms contained in the message information JMs supplied from the message management server 30 into the display game moving image DH.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the game device 10-m executes a soccer game, the game progress period TG from the start of the soccer game to the end of the soccer game is divided into one or more in-play periods TG1 and one or more out-of-play periods TG2. In the following, the in-play period TG1 and the out-of-play period TG2 may be collectively referred to as a game period TGq. In other words, the game progress period TG is divided into multiple game periods TGq.

[0046] In this embodiment, the in-play period TG1 may be, for example, a period during which the state of a player character CC-m or a ball object OB can be changed within the virtual space Fd based on the operation of the game device 10-m by the user Um of the game device 10-m. Specifically, the in-play period TG1 may be a collective term for a period from the start (kick-off) of a soccer game match to the end of the first half of the match, excluding the match suspension period, and a period from the start of the second half of the match to the end of the second half of the match, excluding the match suspension period. Here, the match suspension period may be a period during which a goal or a foul is scored in the soccer game and the progress of the soccer game is temporarily stopped. In addition, the match suspension period may be a period from when a user Um of the game device 10-m pauses the progress of the soccer game by operating the game device 10-m to when the pause is lifted. The match interruption period may be a period during which a goal or a foul occurs in the soccer game and the progress of the match is temporarily stopped, excluding the period during which the user Um of the game device 10-m is operating the game device 10-m, or it may be a period from when the user Um of the game device 10-m operates the game device 10-m to when the pause is released, excluding the period during which the user Um of the game device 10-m is operating the game device 10-m.

[0047] Furthermore, the out-of-play period TG2 may be, for example, a period during which the user Um of the game device 10-m cannot change the state of the player character CC-m and the ball object OB in the virtual space Fd. Specifically, the out-of-play period TG2 may be a collective term for, for example, in a soccer game match, the period before the start of the soccer game match (before kickoff), the period from the end of the first half of the match to the start of the second half of the match (halftime), the period after the end of the second half of the match, and the period during which the match is suspended.

[0048] The "state of the player character CC-m" may be, for example, the position, posture, moving speed, or moving direction of the player character CC-m in the virtual space Fd, or the possibility of the player character CC-m's existence in the soccer game, or any or all of these. Also, the "state of the ball object OB" may be, for example, the position, moving speed, or moving direction of the ball object OB in the virtual space Fd.

[0049] The in-play period TG1 may be, for example, a period during which the final result of the soccer game is more likely to change at the end of the soccer game than the out-of-play period TG2. For example, the in-play period TG1 may be a period during which the progress of the soccer game during the in-play period TG1 may affect the final result of the soccer game. Also, for example, the out-of-play period TG2 may be a period during which the progress of the soccer game during the out-of-play period TG2 may not affect the final result of the soccer game. Also, the in-play period TG1 may be, for example, a period during which a result determination parameter may change. Here, in this embodiment, the result determination parameter may be a parameter for determining the final result of a match related to a soccer game. Specifically, the result determination parameter may be the score of team T1 and team T2 in a match related to a soccer game. Note that in this embodiment, a "soccer game" is exemplified as the "game", but in the case where the "game" is a game in which a character operated by a user Um of the game device 10 fights against another character, such as a "fighting game" or a "shooting game", the result determination parameter may be a parameter indicating the possibility of the presence of the one character and the other characters in the game, such as the hit points of the one character and the other characters.

[0050] Furthermore, the game device 10-m may proceed with the soccer game in the in-play progression mode during the in-play period TG1, and proceed with the soccer game in the out-of-play progression mode during the out-of-play period TG2. Here, the in-play progress mode may be, for example, a progress mode in which the state of the player character CC-m or the ball object OB can be changed in the virtual space Fd based on the operation of the game device 10-m by the user Um of the game device 10-m. Also, the out-of-play progress mode may be, for example, a progress mode in which the user Um of the game device 10-m cannot change the state of the player character CC-m or the ball object OB in the virtual space Fd.

[0051] In addition, the in-play progress mode may be, for example, a progress mode in which the final result of a match related to the soccer game is more likely to change at the end of the soccer game compared to the out-of-play progress mode. For example, the in-play progress mode may be a progress mode in which the progress of the soccer game in the in-play progress mode may affect the final result of the match related to the soccer game, and the out-of-play progress mode may be a progress mode in which the progress of the soccer game in the out-of-play progress mode may not affect the final result of the match related to the soccer game.

[0052] 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of the outline of a display game video DH-m incorporating a message Ms, which is displayed when the game device 10-m is playing a soccer game in the in-play progress mode during the in-play period TG1. Of these, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of a display game video DH-1 generated by the game device 10-1, and Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of a display game video DH-4 generated by the game device 10-4.

[0053] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the game device 10-m incorporates a message Ms into the display game video DH-m as a superimposed display image GMx-m or a virtual space display image GMy-m in the in-play progress mode. Note that, hereinafter, the superimposed display image GMx-m and the virtual space display image GMy-m may be collectively referred to as a message display image GM-m. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment, one or more message display images GM-m corresponding to one or more messages Ms are displayed.

[0054] Here, the superimposed display image GMx-m is an image superimposed on an image representing the virtual space Fd shown in the display game video DH-m. In this embodiment, when the soccer game progresses in the in-play progress mode during the in-play period TG1, the game device 10-m displays the superimposed display image GMx-m in a limited area ArM, which is an area located at the edge of the display unit 21-m that displays the display game video DH-m.

[0055] The virtual space display image GMy-m is an image displayed on an object present in the virtual space Fd represented in the display game video DH-m. In this embodiment, when the soccer game progresses in the in-play progress mode during the in-play period TG1, the game device 10-m displays the virtual space display image GMy-m on the surface of the fence object OF present in the virtual space Fd.

[0056] In this embodiment, the message display image GM-m is classified into a colored display image GMxC and a non-colored display image GMxB. Here, the colored display image GMxC is an image of the message display image GM-m in which the background of the character string of the message Ms is colored. Also, the non-colored display image GMxB is an image of the message display image GM-m in which the background of the character string of the message Ms is not colored. Here, the "image with an uncolored background" may be, for example, an image in which the background of the character string of the message Ms is white, or an image in which the background of the character string of the message Ms is colorless, transparent, or semi-transparent. That is, in this embodiment, the visibility of the colored display image GMxC is higher than the visibility of the non-colored display image GMxB.

[0057] In this embodiment, the message display image GM-m is classified into a large display image GMxL and a small display image GMxS. Here, the large display image GMxL is an image of the message display image GM-m in which the size of each character constituting the message Ms is larger than that of the small display image GMxS. In other words, the small display image GMxS is an image of the message display image GM-m in which the size of each character constituting the message Ms is smaller than that of the large display image GMxL. In other words, in this embodiment, the visibility of the large display image GMxL is higher than that of the small display image GMxS.

[0058] In this embodiment, the message display image GM-m is classified into a sound-accompanying display image GMxP and a sound-less display image GMxN. Here, the audio-attached display image GMxP is an image of the message display image GM-m in which, when the message display image GM-m is displayed in the display game video DH-m, audio representing the message Ms indicated by the message display image GM-m is reproduced. Also, the audio-less display image GMxN is an image of the message display image GM-m in which, when the message display image GM-m is displayed in the display game video DH-m, audio representing the message Ms indicated by the message display image GM-m is not reproduced. That is, in this embodiment, the possibility of recognizing the audio-attached display image GMxP is higher than the possibility of recognizing the audio-less display image GMxN.

[0059] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the message display image GM displayed in one display game video DH may differ from the message display image GM displayed in another display game video DH. For example, Figures 7 and 8 show a case in which a superimposed display image GMx-1, a virtual space display image GMy-1[1], and a virtual space display image GMy-1[2] are displayed in a display game video DH-1, and a superimposed display image GMx-4, a virtual space display image GMy-4[1], and a virtual space display image GMy-4[2] are displayed in a display game video DH-4.

[0060] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the outline of the game video for distribution DD generated by the video editing device 40 after the message Ms is incorporated into the game video for display DH-m.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 9, even after the message Ms is incorporated into the display game video DH-1 and the display game video DH-4, the video editing device 40 generates a distribution game video DD that includes the display game video DH-1 shown in FIG. 7 and the display game video DH-4 shown in FIG. 8.

[0062] Figures 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of an overview of a display game video DH-m that is displayed when the game device 10-m is playing a soccer game in an out-of-play progress mode during an out-of-play period TG2. Of these, Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a display game video DH-1 generated by the game device 10-1 during the out-of-play period TG2 before the message Ms is inserted, and Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a display game video DH-1 generated by the game device 10-1 during the out-of-play period TG2 after the message Ms is inserted.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 10, in this embodiment, during the out-of-play period TG2, the player character CC-m moves regardless of the operation of the game device 10-m by the user Um. For example, Fig. 10 illustrates a state in which the player character CC-m makes an action expressing joy immediately after the player character CC-m scores a goal in a soccer game, but this action expressing joy of the player character CC-m is a predetermined action that is not dependent on the operation of the game device 10-m by the user Um.

[0064] As shown in the example of FIG. 11, during the out-of-play period TG2, after the message Ms has been incorporated, the superimposed display image GMx-m is displayed on the display game moving image DH-m. In the example shown in Figure 11, the game device 10-m displays, in the display game video DH-1, an overlay display image GMx-1[3] and an overlay display image GMx-1[7] which are colored display image GMxC and large display image GMxL, an overlay display image GMx-1[4] which is colored display image GMxC and small display image GMxS, an overlay display image GMx-1[5] which is non-colored display image GMxB and large display image GMxL, and an overlay display image GMx-1[2], an overlay display image GMx-1[6], an overlay display image GMx-1[8], an overlay display image GMx-1[9], and an overlay display image GMx-1

[10] which are non-colored display image GMxB and small display image GMxS.

[0065] In the example shown in Fig. 11, some or all of the superimposed display images GMx-1[2] to GMx-1

[10] displayed in the game video for display DH-1 may be audio-attached display images GMxP. In this case, in the example shown in Fig. 11, the superimposed display images GMx-m other than the audio-attached display images GMxP among the superimposed display images GMx-1[2] to GMx-1

[10] displayed in the game video for display DH-1 correspond to audio-less display images GMxN.

[0066] In this embodiment, the superimposed display image GMx-m is displayed on the display game video DH-m during the in-play period TG1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The game device 10-m does not have to display the superimposed display image GMx-m on the display game video DH-m during the in-play period TG1.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, the virtual space display image GMy-m is not displayed in the display game video DH-m during the out-of-play period TG2, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The game device 10-m may display the virtual space display image GMy-m together with the superimposed display image GMx-m on the display game video DH-m even during the out-of-play period TG2.

[0068] [3. Functions of the Game Device and Message Management Server] Hereinafter, functions of the game device 10 and the message management server 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the game device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the game device 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls each part of the game device 10, a memory unit 13 that stores various information, an operation unit 14 for accepting operations by a user U of the game device 10, and a communication unit 15 for performing communication with an external device located outside the game device 10.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the control unit 11 includes a game control unit 111 and a message processing unit 112.

[0072] The message processing unit 112 includes a message acquisition unit 124 , a message determination unit 125 , and a message analysis unit 126 . The message acquisition unit 124 acquires the message information JMs and the evaluation number information JPF supplied from the message management server 30 . The message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the message Ms contained in the message information JMs supplied from the message management server 30 is to be incorporated into the game moving image DH for display. The message analysis unit 126 analyzes one or both of the message information JMs and the evaluation number information JPF supplied from the message management server 30, and generates analysis information Jk indicating the results of the analysis.

[0073] The game control unit 111 has a message insertion unit 120 and a message insertion mode determination unit 123 . The message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines the mode in which the message Ms contained in the message information JMs supplied from the message management server 30 is to be incorporated into the game moving image DH for display. The message insertion unit 120 includes a game progression unit 121 and a video information generation unit 122. The game progression unit 121 progresses the soccer game. The video information generating unit 122 generates display game video information JDH indicating the display game video DH.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the memory unit 13 stores a message management table TBL1, a message embedding information table TBL2, a user information table TBL3, a game status management table TBL4, and a control program PGg for controlling each part of the game device 10.

[0075] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the game device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the game device 10 includes a processor 1001 that controls each part of the game device 10, a storage device 1003 that stores various information, an operation device 1004 for accepting operations by a user U of the game device 10, and a communication device 1005 for communicating with an external device located outside the game device 10. Of these, the storage device 1003 includes one or both of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area for the processor 1001, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information such as the control program PGg, and provides the function of a storage unit 13. The processor 1001 includes, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). The processor 1001 executes a control program PGg stored in the storage device 1003 and operates in accordance with the control program PGg, thereby functioning as the control unit 11. The processor 1001 may be configured to include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to one or more CPUs, or in place of a part or all of the one or more CPUs. In this case, a part or all of the control unit 11 realized by the processor 1001 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP. The operation device 1004 is, for example, an operation button, and provides a function as an operation unit 14 that accepts an operation of a user U of the game device 10. The operation device 1004 may be composed of one or more devices including, for example, an operation button, a touch panel, a keyboard, a joystick, and a part or all of a pointing device such as a mouse. The communication device 1005 is hardware for communicating with an external device located outside the game device 10 via one or both of a wired network and a wireless network, and provides the function of the communication unit 15 .

[0077] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the message management server 30. As shown in FIG.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the message management server 30 includes a control unit 31 that controls each part of the message management server 30, a memory unit 33 that stores various information, and a communication unit 35 for performing communication between an external device located outside the message management server 30.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the control unit 31 includes a message acquisition unit 311 and a message delivery unit 312. The message acquisition unit 311 acquires message information JMs from the SNS server 60 . The message distributor 312 distributes the message information JMs and the evaluation number information JPF to the game device 10-m.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the storage unit 33 stores control programs PGs for controlling each unit of the message management server 30.

[0081] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the message management server 30. As shown in FIG.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the message management server 30 includes a processor 3001 that controls each part of the message management server 30, a storage device 3003 that stores various information, and a communication device 3005 for communicating with external devices outside the message management server 30. Of these, the storage device 3003 includes either or both of a volatile memory such as a RAM that functions as a working area for the processor 3001 and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM that stores various information such as control programs PGs, and provides the function of a storage unit 33. The processor 3001 includes, for example, one or more CPUs. The processor 3001 executes control programs PGs stored in the storage device 3003 and operates in accordance with the control programs PGs, thereby functioning as the control unit 31. The processor 3001 may be configured to include hardware such as a GPU, a DSP, or an FPGA in addition to one or more CPUs, or in place of a part or all of the one or more CPUs. In this case, a part or all of the control unit 31 realized by the processor 3001 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP. The communication device 3005 is hardware for communicating with an external device located outside the message management server 30 via one or both of a wired network and a wireless network, and provides the function of the communication unit 35 .

[0083] [4. Data stored in the game device] Hereinafter, the data stored in the game device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0084] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the message management table TBL1.

[0085] 16, the message management table TBL1 has one or more records in one-to-one correspondence with one or more pieces of message information JMs including a soccer game specific character string corresponding to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10, among one or more pieces of message information JMs supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10. Hereinafter, among the message information JMs, the message information JMs including a soccer game specific character string corresponding to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10 will be referred to as "game message information".

[0086] Each record in the message management table TBL1 includes a message ID and acquired message information. Here, the message ID is information for identifying each piece of game message information from one or more pieces of game message information supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10.

[0087] The acquired message information includes message body information and message accompanying information. Among these, the message body information is information that is included in the game message information provided from the message management server 30 to the game device 10 and indicates the message Ms.

[0088] The message accompanying information includes user name information, message sending date and time information, specific character string information, consumed point information JPT, and evaluation number information JPF. Here, the user name information is information indicating the user name of the terminal device 70 that transmitted the game message information. Moreover, the message transmission date and time information is information indicating the date and time when the game message information was transmitted from the terminal device 70.

[0089] Moreover, the specific string information is information indicating a specific string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70. In the present embodiment, the specific string information includes team-specific string information and user-specific string information. Of these, the team-specific string information is information indicating a team-specific string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70. Moreover, the user-specific string information is information indicating a user-specific string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70.

[0090] As described above, the consumed point information JPT is information indicating the point value Pt of the points consumed in the terminal device 70 when the game message information is output from the terminal device 70. Also, as described above, the evaluation number information JPF is information indicating the positive evaluation number Pf for the game message information.

[0091] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the message embedding information table TBL2.

[0092] 17, the message embedding information table TBL2 has one or more records in one-to-one correspondence with one or more pieces of game message information supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10. Each record in the message embedding information table TBL2 includes a message ID and message embedding information.

[0093] Here, the message incorporation information includes message characteristic information, message priority information, and message incorporation completion information.

[0094] Among these, the message characteristic information includes message target team relevant information, message target user relevant information, point consumption information, and affirmative statement relevant information.

[0095] Here, the message target team relevant information is information indicating whether or not the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 includes a team identifying character string corresponding to a team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs in a soccer game. In the present embodiment, the message target team relevant information indicates "1" when the team identifying character string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 corresponds to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs, as illustrated in Fig. 17, for example, and indicates "0" when the team identifying character string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 does not correspond to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs and when the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 does not include a team identifying character string.

[0096] The message target user pertinence information is information indicating whether or not the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 includes a user specific string corresponding to the user U of the game device 10. In the present embodiment, the message target user pertinence information indicates, for example, "1" when the user specific string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 corresponds to the user U of the game device 10, as illustrated in Fig. 17, and indicates "0" when the user specific string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 does not correspond to the user U of the game device 10 and when the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 does not include a user specific string.

[0097] The point consumption information is information indicating whether or not the point value Pt indicated by the consumed point information JPT included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 is a value greater than "0". In other words, the point consumption information is information indicating whether or not points have been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70 when the game message information is transmitted from the terminal device 70. In the present embodiment, the point consumption information indicates "1" when the game message information is transmitted from the terminal device 70 and points have been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70, as illustrated in FIG. 17, for example, and indicates "0" when the game message information is transmitted from the terminal device 70 and points have not been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70.

[0098] The positive wording corresponding information is information indicating whether or not the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 has a positive meaning. In the present embodiment, the positive wording corresponding information indicates, as an example, "1" when the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 has a positive meaning, and indicates "0" when the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 does not have a positive meaning, as illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0099] Moreover, the message priority information is information indicating the priority Φ of incorporation into the display game video DH of the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the priority Φ corresponding to the game message information is high, the game message information is preferentially incorporated into the display game video DH compared to when the priority Φ is low.

[0100] The message incorporation completion information is information indicating that incorporation of the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 into the display game video DH has been completed, or that a decision has been made not to incorporate the message Ms into the display game video DH, or that a process relating to incorporation of the message Ms into the display game video DH has not been completed. In the present embodiment, the message incorporation completion information indicates "1" when incorporation of the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 into the display game video DH has been completed and when a decision has been made not to incorporate the message Ms into the display game video DH, as illustrated in FIG. 17, for example, and indicates "0" when a process relating to incorporation of the message Ms included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70 into the display game video DH has not been completed.

[0101] Although not shown in the figure, the user information table TBL3 stores a soccer game-specific string corresponding to the soccer game being played by the user U of the game device 10, a team-specific string corresponding to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs in the soccer game, and a user-specific string corresponding to the user U of the game device 10.

[0102] Although not shown, the game status management table TBL4 stores the states of all player characters CC-m and the states of various objects such as the ball object OB in the soccer game being played by the user U of the game device 10.

[0103] The game status management table TBL4 also stores progress status information indicating the progress status of the soccer game. Here, the progress status information is information including result influence information indicating the possibility of affecting the final result of the match related to the soccer game at each time when the soccer game is progressing. The result influence information is information including one or both of period type information and mode type information. Here, the period type information is information indicating whether the soccer game is in progress during an in-play period TG1 or an out-of-play period TG2. For example, when the period type information indicates that the soccer game is in progress during an in-play period TG1, it is more likely to affect the final result of the soccer game, compared with when the period type information indicates that the soccer game is in progress during an out-of-play period TG2. The mode type information is information indicating whether the soccer game is progressing in an in-play progress mode or an out-of-play progress mode. For example, when the mode type information indicates that the soccer game is progressing in an in-play progress mode, it is more likely to affect the final result of the soccer game, compared to when the mode type information indicates that the soccer game is progressing in an out-of-play progress mode.

[0104] [5. Operation of the game device] Hereinafter, the operation of the game device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0105] [5.1. Message acquisition process] In this embodiment, when the game device 10 receives message information JMs from the message management server 30, the game device 10 executes a message acquisition process, which is a process for acquiring the message information JMs.

[0106] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when the game device 10 executes the message obtaining process.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 18, when message information JMs is supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the supplied message information JMs includes a soccer game-specific string corresponding to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10 (S100).

[0108] If the result of the determination in step S100 is negative, the message determination unit 125 discards the message information JMs that was the subject of the determination in step S100, and ends the message acquisition process shown in FIG.

[0109] If the result of the determination in step S100 is positive, the message acquisition unit 124 acquires the message information JMs that was the subject of the determination in step S100 as game message information (S102).

[0110] Specifically, in step S102, the message acquisition unit 124 adds a record to the message management table TBL1, assigns a new message ID to the added record, and stores, in the added record, the message information JMs that was the subject of the determination in step S100. Also, in step S102, the message acquisition unit 124 adds a record to the message incorporation information table TBL2, and stores, in the added record, the same message ID as the message ID assigned in the message management table TBL1. Although not shown, when the message acquisition unit 124 receives the evaluation number information JPF from the message management server 30 to the game device 10, the message acquisition unit 124 stores the evaluation number information JPF in the message management table TBL1.

[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 includes a team identifying character string corresponding to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs (S104).

[0112] Specifically, in step S104, the message determination unit 125 determines whether the string indicated by the team-specific string information stored in the message management table TBL1 by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 is the same as the team-specific string stored in the user information table TBL3. Then, if the result of the determination is positive, the message determination unit 125 sets the value "1" to the message target team applicable information in the message incorporation information table TBL2, indicating that the team identifying character string included in the game message information corresponds to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, the message determination unit 125 sets the value "0" to the message target team applicable information in the message incorporation information table TBL2, indicating that the team identifying character string included in the game message information does not correspond to the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs.

[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not a user identifying character string corresponding to the user U of the game device 10 is included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 (S106).

[0114] Specifically, in step S106, the message determination unit 125 determines whether the character string indicated by the user-specific string information stored in the message management table TBL1 by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 is the same as the user-specific string stored in the user information table TBL3. Then, if the result of the determination is positive, the message determination unit 125 sets the message target user relevant information in the message incorporation information table TBL2 to the value "1", indicating that the user specific character string included in the game message information corresponds to user U of the game device 10. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, the message determination unit 125 sets the message target user relevant information in the message incorporation information table TBL2 to the value "0", indicating that the user specific character string included in the game message information does not correspond to user U of the game device 10.

[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the consumed point information JPT included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 indicates a value greater than "0" (S108). If the result of the determination is positive, the message determination unit 125 sets the point consumption information in the message embedding information table TBL2 to the value "1", indicating that points have been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, the message determination unit 125 sets the point consumption information in the message embedding information table TBL2 to the value "0", indicating that points have not been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70.

[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the message Ms included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 has a positive meaning (S110). If the result of the determination is positive, the message determination unit 125 sets the positive wording information in the message incorporation information table TBL2 to a value of "1", indicating that the message Ms included in the game message information has a positive meaning. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, the message determination unit 125 sets the positive wording information in the message incorporation information table TBL2 to a value of "0", indicating that the message Ms included in the game message information does not have a positive meaning.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the message determination unit 125 determines a priority Φ based on the message target team relevant information generated in step S104, the message target user relevant information generated in step S106, the point consumption information generated in step S108, and the affirmative wording relevant information generated in step S110, stores message priority information indicating the determined priority Φ in the message incorporation information table TBL2 (S112), and terminates the message acquisition process.

[0118] Specifically, in step S112, the message determination unit 125 determines the priority Φ so that the priority Φ is higher when the message target team relevant information indicates "1" compared to when it indicates "0". Also, in step S112, the message determination unit 125 determines the priority Φ so that the priority Φ is higher when the message target user relevant information indicates "1" compared to when it indicates "0". Also, in step S112, the message determination unit 125 determines the priority Φ so that the priority Φ is higher when the point consumption information indicates "1" compared to when it indicates "0". Also, in step S112, the message determination unit 125 determines the priority Φ so that the priority Φ is higher when the positive statement relevant information indicates "1" compared to when it indicates "0".

[0119] [5.2. Message analysis processing] In this embodiment, the game device 10 executes a message analysis process, which is a process of analyzing a plurality of pieces of game message information acquired from the message management server 30, for example, for each analysis period. Here, the analysis period (an example of an "aggregation period") may be, for example, a period from when the game device 10 acquires the evaluation number information JPF from the message management server 30 until when the game device 10 next acquires the evaluation number information JPF from the message management server 30, or may be a period having a predetermined length of time. Furthermore, the analysis period may be, for example, a period determined based on the current time.

[0120] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when the game device 10 executes the message analysis process.

[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 19, when each analysis period ends, the message analysis unit 126 counts the number of one or more pieces of game message information supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10 during that analysis period, and generates message count information indicating the message count value θs, which is the result of the counting (S120). In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message tally value θs satisfies "0≦θs".

[0122] In this embodiment, the message analysis unit 126 may generate message aggregation information so that the message aggregation value θs is larger when the number of game message information pieces supplied to the game device 10 during the analysis period is large compared to when the number is small. Specifically, in this embodiment, a case is assumed as an example where the message tally information indicates the number of pieces of game message information in the analysis period. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The message tally information may be, for example, the average value or median value of the interval at which the game device 10 acquires game message information in the analysis period. In this case, for example, the message tally value θs may be calculated as the reciprocal of the average value or median value of the interval at which the game device 10 acquires game message information in the analysis period. Furthermore, the message tally information may indicate, for example, a value obtained by dividing the number of pieces of game message information in the analysis period by the time length of the analysis period.

[0123] In addition, when each analysis period ends, the message analysis unit 126 counts up the number of game message information whose positive wording information indicates "1" among one or more game message information supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10 during that analysis period, and generates message content information indicating the message positive wording value θk, which is the result of the counting (S122). In this embodiment, as an example, the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "0≦θk".

[0124] In this embodiment, the message analysis unit 126 may generate message content information so that when there is a large number of game message information pieces whose positive wording information indicates “1” among the game message information pieces supplied during the analysis period, the message content information is larger than when there are a small number of game message information pieces whose positive wording information indicates “1”. Specifically, in this embodiment, a case is assumed as an example where the message content information is game message information supplied during the analysis period and indicates the number of pieces of game message information whose positive wording corresponding information indicates "1". However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. The message content information may be, for example, a ratio of the number of pieces of game message information supplied during the analysis period whose positive wording corresponding information indicates "1" to the number of pieces of game message information supplied during the analysis period. Furthermore, the message content information may be, for example, the number of words having a positive meaning contained in one or more pieces of game message information supplied to the game device 10 during the analysis period. Furthermore, the message content information may be, for example, a value obtained by dividing the number of pieces of game message information supplied during the analysis period whose positive wording corresponding information indicates "1" by the time length of the analysis period.

[0125] In addition, when each analysis period ends, the message analysis unit 126 generates message evaluation information indicating the message evaluation value θh based on one or more evaluation number information JPF corresponding to one or more game message information supplied from the message management server 30 to the game device 10 during that analysis period (S124). In this embodiment, as an example, the message evaluation value θh satisfies "0≦θh".

[0126] Specifically, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the message evaluation information by calculating, in step S124, the total value of one or more positive evaluation numbers Pf indicated by one or more evaluation number information JPF corresponding to one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10 as the message evaluation value θh. Alternatively, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the message evaluation information by calculating, in step S124, the proportion of game message information whose positive evaluation numbers Pf are equal to or greater than a predetermined value, to the one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10. Alternatively, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the message evaluation information by calculating, in step S124, the total value of one or more positive evaluation numbers Pf indicated by one or more evaluation number information JPF corresponding to one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10 divided by the time length of the analysis period as the message evaluation value θh. In this embodiment, the message analysis unit 126 may generate message evaluation information so that when the total value of the positive evaluation count Pf corresponding to the game message information supplied during the analysis period is large, the message evaluation value θh is larger than when the total value is small.

[0127] Then, the message analysis unit 126 generates message analysis information indicating the message analysis value θm based on the message summary information generated in step S120, the message content information generated in step S122, and the message evaluation information generated in step S124 (S126). In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message analytic value θm satisfies "0≦θm".

[0128] Specifically, the message analysis unit 126 generates message analysis information such that the message analysis value θm is larger when the message total value θs indicated by the message total information is large, compared to when it is small. Also, the message analysis unit 126 generates message analysis information such that the message analysis value θm is larger when the message positive statement value θk indicated by the message content information is large, compared to when it is small. Also, the message analysis unit 126 generates message analysis information such that the message analysis value θm is larger when the message evaluation value θh indicated by the message evaluation information is large, compared to when it is small. For example, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the message analysis value θm by adding the message total value θs, the message positive statement value θk, and the message evaluation value θh.

[0129] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned analysis information Jk is information including, for example, message tally information, message content information, message evaluation information, and message analysis information. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The analysis information Jk may be information including at least a part of the message tally information, message content information, message evaluation information, and message analysis information.

[0130] [5.3. Message Insertion Processing] In this embodiment, the game device 10 executes a message incorporating process, which is a process of incorporating a message Ms into the display game moving image DH, for example, over the game progress period TG.

[0131] 20 and 21 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when the game device 10 executes the message insertion process.

[0132] As illustrated in FIG. 20, in the message insertion process, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 first determines whether the soccer game is progressing during the in-play period TG1 based on the progress status information (S140). In addition, in step S140, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 may determine whether or not the soccer game is progressing in the in-play progress mode.

[0133] If the determination result in step S140 is positive, that is, if the soccer game is progressing in the in-play period TG1, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines whether or not there is game message information whose message incorporation completion information indicates "0" (S142). In the following, game message information whose message incorporation completion information indicates "0" may be referred to as "unprocessed game message information."

[0134] If the determination result in step S142 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 advances the process to step S150.

[0135] If the result of the determination in step S142 is positive, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines whether or not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the unprocessed game message information into the display game video DH (S144). Specifically, when it is determined in step S142 that there is a plurality of pieces of unprocessed game message information, in step S144, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 selects, from the plurality of pieces of unprocessed game message information, pieces of unprocessed game message information having the highest priority Φ indicated by the message priority information corresponding to each piece of unprocessed game message information, the number of pieces of unprocessed game message information to be incorporated, the number of pieces being equal to or less than the number that can be incorporated. Here, the number that can be incorporated is the number of messages Ms that can be incorporated into the game video image DH for display. Then, in step S144, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated into the display game video DH. On the other hand, in step S144, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the unprocessed game message information that does not correspond to the game message information to be incorporated among the plurality of unprocessed game message information into the display game video DH.

[0136] Next, the control unit 11 executes a message incorporation mode determination process (S146). Note that the message incorporation mode determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0137] Next, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines the incorporation position of the message Ms indicated by the incorporation target game message information in the display game video image DH (S148). Specifically, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines whether the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated is to be displayed as an overlay display image GMx in the limited area ArM of the game video DH for display, or as an in-virtual space display image GMy on the fence object OF in the virtual space Fd. In addition, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine, in step S148, the display position in the display game video DH of the superimposed display image GMx representing the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated. Also, in step S148, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine the display position in the virtual space Fd of the virtual space display image GMy representing the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated.

[0138] Next, the control unit 11 executes a rendering mode determination process (S150). Note that the rendering mode determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0139] Next, the game progression unit 121 determines whether or not the operation unit 14 has been operated by the user U of the game device 10 (S152). If the result of the determination in step S152 is negative, the game progression unit 121 proceeds to processing at step S160.

[0140] If the result of the determination in step S152 is positive, the game progression unit 121 accepts operation of the operation unit 14 by the user U of the game device 10 (S154), and proceeds to processing in step S160.

[0141] On the other hand, if the judgment result in step S140 is negative, i.e., if the soccer game is progressing during the out-of-play period TG2, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 judges whether or not there is game message information whose message incorporation completion information indicates “0” (S156).

[0142] If the determination result in step S156 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 advances the process to step S162. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S156 is positive, the control unit 11 executes a message incorporation mode determination process (S158), and advances the process to step S162.

[0143] As shown in the example of FIG. 21, the game progression unit 121 shares the operation details of users U-1 to U-6 among game devices 10-1 to 10-6 (S160).

[0144] Then, the game progression unit 121 progresses the soccer game (S162). Specifically, in step S162, the game progression unit 121 changes the states of the player characters CC-1 to CC-6 and the ball object OB based on the operations of the users U-1 to U-6 of the game devices 10-1 to 10-6. Also, in step S162, the game progression unit 121 incorporates the virtual space display image GMy into the virtual space Fd by changing the display mode, such as the pattern and color, of the fence object OF so that the virtual space display image GMy is displayed on the fence object OF. Note that incorporating the virtual space display image GMy into the virtual space Fd is another example of "adding a visual effect to the display game video DH". It should be noted that in step S162, the game progression unit 121 may add a visual effect to the display game video DH based on the results of the presentation mode determination process in step S150.

[0145] Then, the video information generating unit 122 generates a display still image GH (S164). Specifically, in step S164, the video information generating unit 122 generates a virtual space image by capturing the virtual space Fd with a virtual camera in the virtual space Fd. Next, the video information generating unit 122 generates a display still image GH incorporating the superimposed display image GMx by superimposing the superimposed display image GMx on the virtual space image. Note that superimposing the superimposed display image GMx on the virtual space image is another example of "imparting a visual effect to the display game video DH." It should be noted that in step S164, the moving image information generating section 122 may add an auditory effect to the display game moving image DH based on the processing result of the presentation mode determination processing in step S150.

[0146] Next, the game progression unit 121 determines whether or not the soccer game has ended (S166). Then, if the result of the determination in step S166 is negative, the game progression unit 121 proceeds to processing in step S140. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S166 is positive, the game progression unit 121 ends the message insertion processing.

[0147] [5.4. Message Insertion Mode Determination Process] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when the game device 10 executes the message embedding mode determination process.

[0148] As illustrated in FIG. 22, in the message incorporation mode determination process, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not a team-identifying character string included in the incorporation target game message information indicates a team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs (S170). Specifically, in step S170, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the message target team relevant information stored in the message inclusion information table TBL2 indicates that the team identifying character string included in the inclusion target game message information is the team to which the user U of the game device 10 belongs. Note that the message determination unit 125 may substitute the process of step S104 for the process of step S170.

[0149] If the determination result in step S170 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines not to incorporate the incorporation target game message information determined in step S170 into the display game video DH (S172), and ends the message incorporation mode determination process.

[0150] When the determination result in step S170 is positive, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the user identification character string included in the to-be-included game message information indicates the user U of the game device 10 (S174). Specifically, in step S174, the message determination unit 125 determines whether the message target user relevant information stored in the message inclusion information table TBL2 indicates that the user specific character string included in the inclusion target game message information is user U of the game device 10. Note that the message determination unit 125 may substitute the process of step S106 for the process of step S174.

[0151] When the determination result in step S174 is positive, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the incorporation target game message information into the display game moving image DH as a colored display image GMxC (S176).

[0152] If the determination result in step S174 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the incorporation target game message information into the display game moving image DH as a non-colored display image GMxB (S178).

[0153] Furthermore, when the terminal device 70 transmits game message information to be included, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not points have been consumed in association with the transmission of the game message information from the terminal device 70 (S180). Specifically, in step S180, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the point consumption information stored in the message incorporation information table TBL2 indicates that the consumed point information JPT included in the incorporation target game message information indicates a value greater than 0. Note that the message determination unit 125 may substitute the process of step S108 for the process of step S180.

[0154] If the determination result in step S180 is positive, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the incorporation target game message information into the display game video image DH as a large display image GMxL (S182).

[0155] If the result of the determination in step S180 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the incorporation target game message information into the display game video DH as a small display image GMxS (S184).

[0156] Furthermore, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the inclusion target game message information has a positive meaning (S186). Specifically, in step S186, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the positive wording information stored in the message incorporation information table TBL2 indicates that the message Ms included in the incorporation target game message information has a positive meaning. Note that the message determination unit 125 may substitute the process of step S110 for the process of step S186.

[0157] If the judgment result in step S186 is positive, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 decides to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated into the display game video DH as an audio-accompanied display image GMxP (S188), and terminates the message incorporation mode determination process.

[0158] If the judgment result in step S186 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 decides to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the game message information to be incorporated as a silent display image GMxN into the display game video DH (S190), and terminates the message incorporation mode determination process.

[0159] [5.5. Presentation mode determination process] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 when the game device 10 executes the presentation mode determination process.

[0160] 23, in the rendering mode determination process, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 determines whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "0≦θm<θm1" (S200). Here, the value θm1 is a real number that satisfies "0<θm1". In addition, in step S200, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message total value θs satisfies "0≦θs<θs1". Here, the value θs1 is a real number that satisfies "0<θs1". In addition, in step S200, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "0≦θk<θk1". Here, the value θk1 is a real number that satisfies "0<θk1". In addition, in step S200, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message evaluation value θh satisfies "0≦θh<θh1". Here, the value θh1 is a real number that satisfies "0<θh1".

[0161] If the determination result in step S200 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 advances the process to step S206.

[0162] If the result of the determination in step S200 is positive, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 sets the number of spectator characters CK in the virtual space Fd to a reference amount α1 (S202), where the value α1 is a natural number that satisfies "0<α1." In this embodiment, having a spectator character CK appear in the virtual space Fd displayed in the game video for display DH, and increasing or decreasing the number of spectator characters CK in the virtual space Fd, are examples of "imparting visual effects to the game video for display DH."

[0163] Then, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 sets the volume of the cheers by the spectator character CK in the virtual space Fd to the reference volume β1 (S204), and the process proceeds to step S206. Here, the volume β1 is a real number that satisfies "0<β1". In this embodiment, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may set the content of the cheering by the spectator character CK as the first voice content in step S204. Here, the "content of the cheering by the spectator character CK" may be a concept including some or all of the tone of the voice representing the cheering by the spectator character CK, the content of the words indicated by the voice representing the cheering by the spectator character CK, and the pitch of the voice representing the cheering by the spectator character CK. In this embodiment, playing audio indicating cheers by a spectator character CK in the display game video DH, and increasing or decreasing the volume of the cheers by the spectator character CK, is an example of "adding an auditory effect to the display game video DH."

[0164] Next, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 judges whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm1≦θm<θm2" (S206), where the value θm2 is a real number that satisfies "θm1<θm2". In addition, in step S206, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message total value θs satisfies "θs1≦θs<θs2". Here, the value θs2 is a real number that satisfies "θs1<θs2". In addition, in step S206, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk1≦θk<θk2". Here, the value θk2 is a real number that satisfies "θk1<θk2". In addition, in step S206, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether the message evaluation value θh satisfies "θh1≦θh<θh2". Here, the value θh2 is a real number that satisfies "θh1<θh2".

[0165] If the determination result in step S206 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 advances the process to step S212.

[0166] If the result of the determination in step S206 is positive, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 sets the number of spectator characters CK in the virtual space Fd to α2 (S208), where the value α2 is a natural number that satisfies "α1<α2." Then, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 sets the volume of the cheering by the spectator character CK in the virtual space Fd to volume β2 (S210), and the process proceeds to step S212. Here, volume β2 is a real number that satisfies "β1<β2". In this embodiment, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may set the content of the cheering by the spectator character CK as the second voice content in step S210. Here, the second voice content may be the content of the cheering by the spectator character CK that is more likely to be recognized than the first voice content.

[0167] Next, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 judges whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm2≦θm" (S212). In addition, in step S212, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether or not the message total value θs satisfies "θs2≦θs". In addition, in step S212, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether or not the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk2≦θk". In addition, in step S212, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine whether or not the message evaluation value θh satisfies "θh2≦θh".

[0168] If the determination result in step S212 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 ends the rendering mode determination process.

[0169] If the determination result in step S212 is positive, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 sets the number of spectator characters CK in the virtual space Fd to α3 (S214), where the value α3 is a natural number that satisfies "α2<α3." Then, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 sets the volume of the cheering by the audience character CK in the virtual space Fd to volume β3 (S216), and ends the production mode determination process. Here, volume β3 is a real number that satisfies "β2<β3." In this embodiment, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may set the content of the cheering by the spectator character CK as the third voice content in step S216. Here, the third voice content may be a cheering content that is more likely to be recognized than the second voice content.

[0170] [6. Summary of the embodiment] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 incorporates the message Ms included in the message information JMs into the display game video DH. Then, in this embodiment, the video editing device 40 generates the game video for distribution DD based on the display game video DH into which the message Ms has been incorporated. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user U of the game device 10 and the user of the terminal device 70 can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the soccer game, compared to a mode in which the message Ms is not incorporated into the display game video DH.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, the message determination unit 125 determines whether or not the message information JMs includes a soccer game specific character string, and the message incorporation unit 120 incorporates the message Ms included in the message information JMs into the display game video DH based on the result of the determination. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the message Ms unrelated to the soccer game being executed in the game device 10 from being incorporated into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed in the game device 10. As a result, according to this embodiment, the user U of the game device 10 and the user of the terminal device 70 can accurately grasp the degree of excitement of the soccer game, compared to the aspect in which the message Ms unrelated to the soccer game being executed in the game device 10 is incorporated into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed in the game device 10.

[0172] Also, in this embodiment, the game control unit 111 incorporates the message Ms included in the message information JMs into the display game video DH based on the progress status information. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user U of the game device 10 is hindered from operating the game device 10, which is necessary depending on the progress status of the soccer game, compared to, for example, a mode in which the message Ms is incorporated into the display game video DH without considering the progress status information. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user of the terminal device 70 is hindered from viewing the distribution game video DD, compared to, for example, a mode in which the message Ms is incorporated into the display game video DH without considering the progress status information. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the disadvantage of the user U of the game device 10 and the user of the terminal device 70, which occurs due to the incorporation of the message Ms into the display game video DH, compared to, for example, a mode in which the message Ms is incorporated into the display game video DH without considering the progress status information.

[0173] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game control unit 111 imparts visual and auditory effects to the display game moving image DH according to analysis information Jk obtained by analyzing a plurality of pieces of message information JMs supplied to the game device 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user U of the game device 10 and the user of the terminal device 70 can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the soccer game, compared to a mode in which visual and auditory effects are not imparted to the display game moving image DH.

[0174] In this embodiment, the display game video information JDH generated in the game device 10 is an example of "video information", the distribution game video DD is an example of a "distribution video", and the message processing unit 112 equipped with the message analysis unit 126 is an example of a "generation unit". In this embodiment, the message embedding mode determining unit 123 is an example of a "determining unit", and the message embedding unit 120 is an example of an "adding unit".

[0175] [B. Modifications] Each of the above embodiments may be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other. In the modified examples exemplified below, the elements whose actions and functions are equivalent to those of the embodiment will be appropriately omitted by using the symbols referenced in the above explanation.

[0176] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the game device 10 determines whether or not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the message management server 30 may determine whether or not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH.

[0177] Hereinafter, the video distribution system Sys-A according to this modified example will be described with reference to Figs.

[0178] [Video distribution system configuration] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a video distribution system Sys-A according to this modified example.

[0179] 24, video distribution system Sys-A differs from video distribution system Sys according to the embodiment in that it includes game system SysG-A instead of game system SysG. Game system SysG-A differs from game system SysG according to the embodiment in that it includes game devices 10A-1 to 10A-M instead of game devices 10-1 to 10-M, and in that it includes a message management server 30A instead of message management server 30.

[0180] [Message Management Server Configuration] FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a message management server 30A according to this modification.

[0181] As illustrated in FIG. 25, the message management server 30A differs from the message management server 30 according to the embodiment in that it includes a control unit 31A instead of the control unit 31 and a memory unit 33A instead of the memory unit 33.

[0182] As illustrated in FIG. 25, the control unit 31A includes a game device selection unit 313, a message embedding instruction information generation unit 314, and a game device management unit 315, in addition to the message processing unit 112 and message embedding mode determination unit 123 described above. The game device selection section 313 selects, from among the game devices 10A-1 to 10A-M, a game device 10A into which the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs is to be incorporated. The message embedding instruction information generator 314 generates message embedding instruction information JS (an example of "instruction information") that instructs the game device 10A to embed the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs. The game device management unit 315 manages the game device 10A corresponding to the user U who is participating in the soccer game.

[0183] As illustrated in FIG. 25, the memory unit 33A stores, in addition to the message management table TBL1 described above, a device management table TBL11, a team management table TBL12, a message incorporation information table TBL13, and a control program PGs2 for controlling each part of the message management server 30A. In this modification, the storage device 3003 described above provides a function as the storage unit 33A. In addition, in this modification, the processor 3001 described above executes the control program PGs2 stored in the storage device 3003 and operates according to the control program PGs2 to provide a function as the control unit 31A.

[0184] [Game device configuration] FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game device 10A according to this modification.

[0185] As illustrated in FIG. 26, the game device 10A differs from the game device 10 according to the embodiment in that it includes a control unit 11A instead of the control unit 11 and a storage unit 13A instead of the storage unit 13.

[0186] 26, the control unit 11A differs from the control unit 11 according to the embodiment in that it includes a game control unit 111A instead of the game control unit 111 and does not include the message processing unit 112. The game control unit 111A differs from the game control unit 111 according to the embodiment in that it does not include the message embedding mode determination unit 123.

[0187] As illustrated in FIG. 26, the storage unit 13A stores a game status management table TBL4 and a control program PGg2 for controlling each unit of the game device 10A. In this modification, the above-mentioned storage device 1003 provides the function of the storage unit 13A. In addition, in this modification, the above-mentioned processor 1001 executes the control program PGg2 stored in the storage device 1003 and operates according to the control program PGg2, thereby providing the function of the storage unit 13A.

[0188] [Data stored on the message management server] FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the device management table TBL11.

[0189] 27, device management table TBL11 has a plurality of records that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of game devices 10A associated with a plurality of users U participating in a soccer game match among game devices 10A-1 to 10A-M. Each record in user management table TBL11 stores device management information. Here, the device management information is information that includes a terminal ID, a user ID, team information, and user-associated character string information.

[0190] Among these, the terminal ID is information for identifying each game device 10A from among the multiple game devices 10A corresponding to the multiple users U participating in the soccer game match. The user ID is information for identifying each user U from among a plurality of users U participating in a soccer game match. The team information is information indicating the team ID of the team to which the user U who will participate in the soccer game belongs. Here, the team ID is information for identifying each team from among a plurality of teams participating in a soccer game. The user-associated character string information is information indicating a user-specific character string corresponding to each user U.

[0191] FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the team management table TBL12.

[0192] 28, the team management table TBL12 has a plurality of records in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of teams participating in a soccer game. Each record in the team management table TBL12 stores team management information. Here, the team management information is information that includes a team ID and team corresponding character string information. Among these, the team corresponding character string information is information that indicates a team specific character string that corresponds to each team.

[0193] FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the message embedding information table TBL13.

[0194] 29, the message embedding information table TBL13 has one or more records in one-to-one correspondence with one or more pieces of game message information acquired by the message management server 30A from the SNS server 60. Each record in the message embedding information table TBL13 includes a message ID, and message embedding information including message property information, message priority information, and message embedding completion information.

[0195] Note that the message incorporation information of this modified example differs from the message incorporation information of the embodiment in that the message characteristic information includes message-responsive team information instead of message target team relevant information, and includes message-responsive user information instead of message target user relevant information. Here, the message corresponding team information is information indicating the team ID of the team corresponding to the team-identifying character string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70. The message corresponding user information is information indicating the user ID of the user U corresponding to the user identification character string included in the game message information transmitted from the terminal device 70.

[0196] [Message Management Server Operation] The operation of the message management server 30A will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0197] [Match information generation process] 30 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the message administration server 30A when the message administration server 30A executes a match information generation process. In this modification, when a match related to a soccer game starts, the message administration server 30A executes the match information generation process.

[0198] As illustrated in FIG. 30, in the match information generation process, the game device management unit 315 first generates team management information for all teams participating in the soccer game, and stores the generated team management information in the team management table TBL12 (S300). In addition, in the match information generation process, the game device management unit 315 generates device management information for all users U participating in the soccer game competition and the multiple game devices 10A corresponding to them, stores the generated device management information in the device management table TBL11 (S302), and terminates the match information generation process.

[0199] [Message retrieval process] FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when the message management server 30A executes the message acquisition process.

[0200] In this modification, when message information JMs is supplied from the terminal device 70 to the SNS server 60, the message management server 30A executes a message acquisition process. The message acquisition process in this modification differs from the message acquisition process according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 18 in that steps S310 and S312 are executed instead of steps S104 and S106. In the following, the same processes as those in the embodiment will be denoted by the same reference characters as those in the embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0201] 31, the message determination unit 125 executes the process of step S100 described above. Note that in this modification, when message information JMs is supplied from the terminal device 70 to the SNS server 60, the message determination unit 125 executes the process of step S100. Moreover, the message acquisition unit 124 executes the process of step S102 described above. In this modification, in step S102, the message acquisition unit 124 adds a record to the message embedding information table TBL13, and stores, in the added record, a message ID that is the same as the message ID numbered in the message management table TBL1.

[0202] Then, the message determination unit 125 identifies the team corresponding to the team-identifying character string included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 (S310). Specifically, in step S310, the message determination unit 125 refers to the team management table TBL12 to identify a team ID corresponding to the team-specific string included in the game message information, and sets the team ID to the message-corresponding team information in the message incorporation information table TBL13.

[0203] Furthermore, the message determination unit 125 identifies the user U corresponding to the user identification character string included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 (S312). Specifically, in step S312, the message determination unit 125 refers to the device management table TBL11 to identify a user ID corresponding to the user-specific string included in the game message information, and sets the user ID to the message-corresponding user information in the message embedding information table TBL13.

[0204] Thereafter, the message determination unit 125 executes the processes of steps S108 to S112, and ends the message acquisition process.

[0205] [Message analysis process] In this modification, the message management server 30A executes a message analysis process for each analysis period, which is a process for analyzing a plurality of pieces of game message information acquired from the SNS server 60. Note that the message analysis process in this modification is similar to the message analysis process according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0206] [Message inclusion instruction information generation process] 32 and 33 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when the message management server 30A executes the message embedding instruction information generation process.

[0207] In this modified example, the message management server 30A executes the message embedding instruction information generating process over the game progress period TG. Note that the message embedding instruction information generation process in this modified example differs from the message embedding process of the embodiment shown in Figures 20 and 21 in that the processes of steps S340 to S352 are executed and that the processes of steps S152, S154, and S160 to S164 are not executed.

[0208] As illustrated in FIG. 32, in the message embedding instruction information generating process according to this modified example, the message embedding mode determining unit 123 executes the processes of steps S140 and S142 described above. If the determination result in step S142 is positive, the game device selection unit 313 selects a team corresponding to the team identifying character string indicated by the unprocessed game message information by referring to the team management table TBL12 (S340). Hereinafter, the game device 10A corresponding to the user U who belongs to the team corresponding to the team identifying character string indicated by the unprocessed game message information will be referred to as the selected game device. Next, the control unit 31A executes the processes of steps S144 to S148 described above for all of the selected game devices. Then, the game device selection unit 313 determines whether or not the processes of steps S144 to S148 have been executed for all of the game devices to be selected (S342). If the result of the determination in step S342 is negative, the game device selection unit 313 advances the process to step S144. If the result of the determination in step S342 is positive, the control unit 31A executes the process of step S150 described above for all of the selected game devices. Then, the game device selection section 313 determines whether or not the process of step S150 has been executed for all of the game devices to be selected (S344). If the result of the determination in step S344 is negative, the game device selection unit 313 advances the process to step S150.

[0209] As illustrated in FIG. 33, if the determination result in step S140 is negative, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 executes the process of step S156 described above. If the determination result in step S156 is positive, the game device selection unit 313 refers to the team management table TBL12 to select a team corresponding to the team-identifying character string indicated by the unprocessed game message information (S346). Next, control unit 31A executes the process of step S158 described above for all of the selected game devices. Then, the game device selection section 313 determines whether or not the process of step S158 has been executed for all of the game devices to be selected (S348). If the determination result in step S348 is negative, the game device selection unit 313 advances the process to step S158.

[0210] If the determination result in step S344 is positive, and if the determination result in step S348 is positive, the message embedding instruction information generation unit 314 generates message embedding instruction information JS and presentation mode instruction information JJ for each of all selected game devices (S350).

[0211] Here, the message incorporation instruction information JS includes coloring / non-coloring instruction information JS1, display size instruction information JS2, and audio / non-audio instruction information JS3. Among these, the coloring instruction information JS1 is information for instructing the game device 10A as to whether to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game moving image DH as a colored display image GMxC or a non-colored display image GMxB. The display size instruction information JS2 is information for instructing the game device 10A as to whether to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game moving image DH as a large display image GMxL or a small display image GMxS. The audio instruction information JS3 is information for instructing the game device 10A as to whether to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game moving image DH as an audio display image GMxP or a non-audio display image GMxN.

[0212] The performance mode instruction information JJ includes audience character number instruction information JJ1 and cheer volume instruction information JJ2. Among these, the spectator character number instruction information JJ1 is information for instructing the game device 10A on the number of spectator characters CK to appear in the virtual space Fd displayed in the display game video DH. Also, the cheer volume instruction information JJ2 is information for instructing the game device 10A on the volume of cheers by the spectator characters CK in the virtual space Fd displayed in the display game video DH.

[0213] Next, the message embedding instruction information generating unit 314 supplies the message embedding instruction information JS and the presentation mode instruction information JJ generated in step S350 to each of the selected game devices (S352). The selected game device incorporates a message display image GM-m for expressing the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH based on the message incorporation instruction information JS. The selected game device also makes a spectator character CK appear in the virtual space Fd and incorporates cheers from the spectator character CK into the display game video DH based on the presentation mode instruction information JJ.

[0214] Then, the control unit 31A determines whether the soccer game has ended (S166), and if the determination result is negative, the processing proceeds to step S140, and if the determination result is positive, the message embedding instruction information generation processing shown in Figures 32 and 33 is terminated.

[0215] [Message insertion mode determination process] In this modification, the message management server 30A executes a message incorporation mode determination process in the message incorporation instruction information generation process.

[0216] FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the message management server 30A when the message management server 30A executes the message incorporation mode determination process. As shown in FIG. 34, the message incorporation mode determination process in this modified example differs from the message incorporation mode determination process according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 in that it does not include steps S170 and S172.

[0217] [Performance mode determination process] In addition, in this modification, the message management server 30A executes a rendering mode determination process in the message embedding instruction information generation process. Note that the rendering mode determination process in this modification is the same as the rendering mode determination process according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0218] [Summary of Variation 1] As described above, according to this modification, the message embedding instruction information generating unit 314 supplies the message embedding instruction information JS to the selected game device. Therefore, according to this modification, it is possible to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed on the selected game device. As a result, according to this modification, it is possible for the user U of the game device 10A and the user of the terminal device 70 to easily grasp the degree of excitement of the soccer game being executed on the selected game device, compared to a mode in which the message Ms is not incorporated into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed on the selected game device.

[0219] Furthermore, according to this modification, it is possible to prevent a message Ms unrelated to the selected game device from being incorporated into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed on the selected game device. Therefore, according to this modification, compared to the mode in which a message Ms unrelated to the selected game device is incorporated into the display game video DH related to the soccer game being executed on the selected game device, the user U of the game device 10A and the user of the terminal device 70 can accurately grasp the degree of excitement of the soccer game being executed on the selected game device.

[0220] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment and modification 1, the game system SysG and the game system SysG-A are provided with the video editing device 40, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. The game system SysG and the game system SysG-A do not have to be provided with the video editing device 40. For example, when the game system SysG does not include the video editing device 40, the game device 10 may generate game video information JDD for distribution based on the game video information JDH for display generated by the game device 10, and supply the generated game video information JDD for distribution to the video distribution server 50. Also, for example, when the game system SysG does not include the video editing device 40, the game device 10 may supply the game video information JDH for display generated by the game device 10 to the video distribution server 50 as the game video information JDD for distribution.

[0221] [Variation 3] In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 and 2, the terminal device 70 transmits message information JMs to the SNS server 60, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect. For example, the terminal device 70 may transmit the message information JMs to the game system SysG (or the game system SysG-A). Specifically, the terminal device 70 may transmit the message information JMs to the message management server 30 (or the message management server 30A) or the game device 10 (or the game device 10A). Also, for example, the terminal device 70 may transmit the message information JMs to the video distribution server 50. In this case, the video distribution server 50 may transmit the message information JMs provided from the terminal device 70 to the game system SysG (or the game system SysG-A).

[0222] FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a video distribution system Sys-B according to this modified example.

[0223] 35, the video distribution system Sys-B differs from the video distribution system Sys according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 in that the video distribution system Sys-B includes a game system SysG-B instead of the game system SysG, that the video distribution system Sys-B includes a video distribution server 50B instead of the video distribution server 50, and that the video distribution system Sys-B does not include the SNS server 60. The game system SysG-B differs from the game system SysG according to the embodiment in that the game system SysG-B does not include the message management server 30.

[0224] FIG. 36 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an outline of the operation of the video distribution system Sys-B according to this modification.

[0225] As illustrated in FIG. 36, the moving image distribution system Sys-B executes the above-mentioned steps S10 to S14 in the same manner as the moving image distribution system Sys (see FIG. 2). Then, when video distribution server 50B is supplied with distribution game video information JDD indicating the distribution game video DD from video editing device 40, video distribution server 50B supplies the distribution game video information JDD to terminal devices 70-1 to 70-N (S30), similar to step S16.

[0226] Thereafter, the terminal device 70-n transmits message information JMs including the message Ms to the video distribution server 50B (S32). In this modification, the video distribution server 50B recognizes that the message Ms included in the message information JMs transmitted from the terminal device 70-n is a message Ms related to the game video DD for distribution indicated by the game video information JDD for distribution provided from the video distribution server 50B, or a message Ms related to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10-m. Therefore, in this modification, even when the user of the terminal device 70-n posts a message Ms related to a soccer game to the video distribution server 50B, the user does not need to add a soccer game-specific character string to the message Ms.

[0227] Thereafter, when message information JMs is supplied from terminal device 70-n, moving image distribution server 50B supplies message list image information JGC indicating the message list image GC to terminal devices 70-1 to 70-N (S34). Here, the message list image GC is an image that displays the same content as the SNS site GS. However, while the messages Ms displayed on the SNS site GS include messages Ms unrelated to the soccer game, the message list image GC displays only messages Ms related to the soccer game.

[0228] When the terminal device 70-n receives the game video information for distribution JDD and the message list image information JGC from the video distribution server 50B, the terminal device 70-n displays the video distribution screen DY on the display unit 71-n.

[0229] FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an outline of the video distribution screen DY.

[0230] As shown in Fig. 37, the video distribution screen DY is a screen including a game video DD for distribution indicated by the game video information JDD for distribution and a message list image GC indicated by the message list image information JGC. However, this modification is not limited to such an embodiment. In this modification, the video distribution screen DY only needs to include at least the game video DD for distribution, and does not need to include the message list image GC.

[0231] 36, moving image distribution server 50B supplies message information JMs supplied from terminal device 70-n to game devices 10-1 to 10-6 (S36). Note that moving image distribution server 50B may also supply message information JMs to game devices 10-1 to 10-6 via moving image editing device 40. Thereafter, the game device 10-m executes the process of step S24 described above, similarly to the video distribution system Sys.

[0232] In this modified example, the game device 10-m can also execute the message acquisition process, the message analysis process, the message incorporation process, the message incorporation mode determination process, and the presentation mode determination process, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. However, in this modification, as described above, the message Ms included in the message information JMs transmitted from the terminal device 70-n is a message Ms related to the game video DD for distribution indicated by the game video information JDD for distribution, or a message Ms related to the soccer game being executed on the game device 10-m. Therefore, the game device 10-m according to this modification differs from the message acquisition process according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18 in that the process of step S100 is not executed in the message acquisition process.

[0233] [Variation 4] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3, the message incorporating mode determining unit 123 determines the display mode of the message display image GM-m without considering the period type information and the mode type information, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. The message incorporating mode determining unit 123 may determine the display mode of the message display image GM-m based on the period type information or the mode type information. For example, when the period type information indicates an in-play period TG1, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may uniformly incorporate the message Ms into the display game video DH as a non-colored display image GMxB regardless of the message target user relevant information, point consumption information, and positive wording relevant information corresponding to the message Ms, whereas when the period type information indicates an out-of-play period TG2, the message Ms may be incorporated into the display game video DH in a display mode according to the message target user relevant information, point consumption information, and positive wording relevant information corresponding to the message Ms.

[0234] [Variation 5] In the above-described embodiment and variants 1 to 4, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 can incorporate the message Ms into the display game video DH during the in-play period TG1, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may be configured not to incorporate the message Ms into the display game video DH during the in-play period TG1. Also, for example, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may be configured to incorporate the message Ms only as an in-virtual space display image GMy-m during the in-play period TG1, and not to incorporate it as a superimposed display image GMx-m.

[0235] [Variation 6] In the above-described embodiment and variants 1 to 5, when the message determination unit 125 determines that the team-specific character string included in the message information JMs indicates the team to which the user U of the game device 10 (or game device 10A) belongs, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the game video for display DH, and when the message determination unit 125 determines that the team-specific character string included in the message information JMs does not indicate the team to which the user U of the game device 10 (or game device 10A) belongs, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 determines not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the game video for display DH, but the present invention is not limited to such modes. For example, when the message determination unit 125 determines that the user-specifying character string included in the message information JMs indicates the user U of the game device 10 (or the game device 10A), the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH, and when the message determination unit 125 determines that the user-specifying character string included in the message information JMs does not indicate the user U of the game device 10 (or the game device 10A), the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine not to incorporate the message Ms indicated by the message information JMs into the display game video DH. That is, the message determination unit 125 may determine, for each game device 10 (or the game device 10A), whether or not to incorporate the message Ms included in the message information JMs into the display game video DH.

[0236] [Variation 7] In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 6, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may change the incorporation possible number, which is the number of messages Ms that can be incorporated into the display game video DH, in accordance with the analysis information Jk. For example, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may increase the number of messages that can be incorporated when the message analysis value θm indicated by the analysis information Jk is large, compared to when the message analysis value θm is small. When increasing the number of messages that can be incorporated, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may expand the area of ​​the limited area ArM.

[0237] [Variation 8] In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 7, the message incorporating mode determining section 123 may change the average display time of the message display image GM-m in the display game video DH in accordance with the analysis information Jk. For example, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 may shorten the average display time of the message display image GM-m in the display game video DH when the message analysis value θm indicated by the analysis information Jk is large compared to when it is small. In addition, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may extend the display time of the message display image GM-m corresponding to the message information JMs when the priority Φ indicated by the message priority information corresponding to the message information JMs is high, compared to when the priority Φ is low.

[0238] [Variation 9] In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 8, the message insertion mode determination unit 123 may change the size, color, movement, and the like of the spectator character CK in accordance with the analysis information Jk. For example, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may determine the size, color, and movement, etc. of each spectator character CK so that each spectator character CK is more likely to be recognized when the message analysis value θm indicated by the analysis information Jk is large compared to when it is small.

[0239] [Variation 10] In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 9, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the analysis information Jk based on the content of the message Ms included in the game message information. Specifically, the message analysis unit 126 may generate the analysis information Jk so as to include message content information indicating a message affirmative statement value θk determined according to the content of the message Ms included in the game message information.

[0240] In this modified example, in step S110 of the message acquisition process, the message determination unit 125, in addition to determining whether the message Ms included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 has a positive meaning, also determines whether the message Ms included in the game message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 124 in step S102 has a negative meaning.

[0241] Furthermore, in this modified example, in step S122 of the message analysis process, the message analysis unit 126, for example, tallyes up game message information including messages Ms with positive meanings and game message information including messages Ms with negative meanings from among one or more pieces of game message information supplied to the game device 10 (or the message management server 30A) during the analysis period, and generates message content information indicating a message affirmative wording value θk representing the result of the tallying. Specifically, in step S122, for example, if the number of game message information including messages Ms having a positive meaning among one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10 (or the message management server 30A) during the analysis period is equal to or greater than the number of game message information including messages Ms having a negative meaning, the message analysis unit 126 generates message content information indicating a message positive wording value θk such that "θk≧0", as in the above-described embodiment; and conversely, if the number of game message information including messages Ms having a negative meaning among one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10 (or the message management server 30A) during the analysis period is greater than the number of game message information including messages Ms having a positive meaning, the message analysis unit 126 generates message content information indicating a message positive wording value θk such that "θk<0". More specifically, in step S122, for example, if the number of game message information including messages Ms having a negative meaning among one or more game message information supplied to the game device 10 (or the message management server 30A) during the analysis period is greater than the number of game message information including messages Ms having a positive meaning, the message analysis unit 126 may generate message content information so that the message positive wording value θk is smaller when the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the number of game message information including messages Ms having a positive meaning from the number of game message information including messages Ms having a negative meaning is large compared to when the subtraction value is small.

[0242] In this modification, the message analyzer 126 generates message analysis information in step S126 of the message analysis process so that, for example, when the message positive statement value θk indicated by the message content information is large, the message analysis value θm is larger than when it is small. Specifically, in step S126, for example, when the message positive statement value θk indicated by the message content information satisfies "θk≧0", the message analyzer 126 generates message analysis information indicating the message analysis value θm being "θm≧0", and on the other hand, when the message positive statement value θk indicated by the message content information satisfies "θk<0", the message analyzer 126 generates message analysis information indicating the message analysis value θm being "θm<0". In this modified example, in step S126 of the message analysis process, the message analysis unit 126 may generate message analysis information so that the absolute value of the message analysis value θm is larger when the number of game message information items supplied to the game device 10 (or the message management server 30A) during the analysis period is large compared to when the number is small.

[0243] In addition, in this modification, in the rendering mode determination process, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 executes, in addition to the processes of steps S200 to S216 described above, a part or all of the following processes: a process of determining whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm4≦θm<0", a process of determining whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm5≦θm<θm4", and a process of determining whether the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm<θm5". Here, the value θm4 is a real number that satisfies "θm4<0", and the value θm5 is a real number that satisfies "θm5<θm4". In this modification, in the rendering mode determination process, the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 may execute, in addition to the processes of steps S200 to S216 described above, a part or all of the following processes: a process of determining whether the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk4≦θk<0", a process of determining whether the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk5≦θk<θk4", and a process of determining whether the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk<θk5". Here, the value θk4 is a real number that satisfies "θk4<0", and the value θk5 is a real number that satisfies "θk5<θk4".

[0244] In this modification, in the production mode determination process, for example, when the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm4≦θm<0" or when the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk4≦θk<0", the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 sets the number of audience characters CK in the virtual space Fd to a reference amount α4, sets the volume of the booing by the audience character CK in the virtual space Fd to a reference volume β4, and sets the content of the booing by the audience character CK as a fourth voice content. Here, the value α4 is a natural number that satisfies "0<α4", and the volume β4 is a real number that satisfies "0<β4". In addition, the "content of the booing by the audience character CK" may be a concept that includes some or all of the tone of the voice representing the booing of the audience character CK, the content of the wording indicated by the voice representing the booing of the audience character CK, and the pitch of the voice representing the booing of the audience character CK.

[0245] In addition, in this modification, in the production mode determination process, for example, when the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm5≦θm<θm4" or when the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk5≦θk<θk4", the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 sets the number of audience characters CK in the virtual space Fd to α5, sets the volume of the booing by the audience character CK in the virtual space Fd to volume β5, and sets the content of the booing by the audience character CK as the fifth voice content. Here, the value α5 is a natural number that satisfies "α4<α5", and the volume β5 is a real number that satisfies "β4<β5". In addition, the fifth voice content may be a content of booing that is more likely to be recognized by the audience character CK than the fourth voice content.

[0246] In addition, in this modification, in the production mode determination process, for example, when the message analysis value θm satisfies "θm<θm5" or when the message affirmative statement value θk satisfies "θk<θk5", the message incorporation mode determination unit 123 sets the number of audience characters CK in the virtual space Fd to α6, sets the volume of the booing by the audience character CK in the virtual space Fd to volume β6, and sets the content of the booing by the audience character CK as the sixth voice content. Here, the value α6 is a natural number that satisfies "α5<α6", and the volume β6 is a real number that satisfies "β5<β6". Also, the sixth voice content may be a content of booing that is more likely to be recognized by the audience character CK than the fifth voice content.

[0247] As described above, according to this modification, the game device 10 (or the game device 10A) can incorporate into the display game video DH a presentation showing the amount of game message information showing messages Ms with positive content, and a presentation showing the amount of game message information showing messages Ms with negative content. Therefore, according to this modification, the user U of the game device 10 (or the game device 10A) and the user of the terminal device 70 can easily grasp the degree of excitement in the soccer game and whether the excitement in the soccer game is positive or negative.

[0248] [Variation 11] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples 1 to 10, a "soccer game" has been described as an example of a "game", but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Any game may be adopted as a "game" in the present invention.

[0249] [C. Notes] From the above description, the present invention can be understood, for example, as follows: In order to facilitate understanding of each aspect, reference symbols in the drawings are conveniently written in parentheses below, but this is not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects.

[0250] [Appendix 1] A program (e.g., control program PGg) according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a processor (e.g., processor 1001) of a game device (e.g., game device 10) to function as a game control unit (e.g., game control unit 111) that executes a game (e.g., a soccer game) and generates video information (e.g., game video information JDH for display) indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit (e.g., message processing unit 112) that generates analysis information (e.g., analysis information Jk) by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices (e.g., terminal device 70) that can view a distributed video (e.g., game video DD for distribution) based on the video information, based on message information (e.g., message information JMs) including a message (e.g., message Ms) related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0251] In this aspect, the game control unit applies at least one of visual effects and audio effects to the video related to the game in accordance with analysis information obtained by analyzing a plurality of pieces of message information. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which visual effects and audio effects are not applied to the video related to the game, a user playing the game on the game device and a user viewing the distributed video on a terminal device can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0252] In the above aspect, the "video information" may be, for example, information showing a game image updated every unit period in real time, information showing a set of a plurality of game images corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of unit periods, or information to which information showing sound is added. Here, the "unit period" may be, for example, a period having a predetermined length of time, or a period having a variable length of time. The "game image" may be, for example, a still image showing a virtual space related to the game, or a still image showing a screen on which a user of the game device performs an operation related to the game. The "information showing sound" may be, for example, information showing a sound generated in a virtual space related to the game, or information showing a sound generated by the game device when a user of the game device performs an operation related to the game.

[0253] In the above aspect, the "distributed video" may be, for example, the same video as the video indicated by the video information, or a video with a changed resolution of the video indicated by the video information, or a video to which a different video or still image has been added to the video indicated by the video information.

[0254] In the above aspect, the "message information" may be, for example, information relating to a message posted to a specific website such as a social networking site, information relating to a message sent to a game device, or information relating to a message sent to a game system including a game device.

[0255] In the above aspect, the "analysis information" may be, for example, information including message summary information obtained by analyzing the output manner of multiple message information, information including message content information obtained by analyzing the contents of each of the multiple messages included in the multiple message information, information including message evaluation information obtained by analyzing the evaluation of each of the multiple messages included in the multiple message information, or some or all of these.

[0256] In the above aspect, "adding visual effects to video related to the game" may mean, for example, superimposing a special effect image that is different from the video related to the game on the video related to the game, incorporating a special effect image into a virtual space related to the game, or providing a special effect using game elements related to the game in the virtual space related to the game, or it may mean some or all of these. Here, the "staged image" may be, for example, an image showing the message included in the message information, or may be an image different from the image showing the message included in the message information. Furthermore, a "game element" may be, for example, a character related to the game, or an object related to the game.

[0257] In the above aspect, "imparting a visual effect according to the analysis information" may mean, for example, changing the number, size, shape, pattern, color, etc. of effect images superimposed on a video related to the game according to the analysis information, or changing the number, size, shape, pattern, color, etc. of effect images incorporated into a virtual space related to the game according to the analysis information, or changing the number or state, etc. of game elements in a virtual space related to the game according to the analysis information. Here, the "state of a game element" may be, for example, some or all of the size, shape, pattern, color, position, attitude, movement direction, and movement speed of the game element.

[0258] In the above aspect, "adding an auditory effect to a video related to a game" may mean, for example, incorporating a message as audio into the video related to the game, or may mean incorporating audio effects into the video related to the game. Here, the "staged sound" may be, for example, a sound expressing a text different from the message, or may be a sound emitted by a game element in a virtual space related to the game.

[0259] In the above aspect, "imparting an auditory effect according to the analysis information" may mean, for example, changing the volume or playback speed of the sound representing the message according to the analysis information, or changing the volume or playback speed of the performance sound according to the analysis information.

[0260] In this aspect, the game control unit may incorporate a message contained in the message information into a video relating to the game based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game.

[0261] In the above aspect, the "progress status information" may be information including, for example, result influence information indicating the possibility that the final result of the game at the end of the game may change at each time point while the game is progressing.

[0262] Here, the "result influence information" may be, for example, information including period type information indicating the type of game period in which the game is progressing when the game progress period from the start to the end of the game is divided into multiple game periods, or information including mode type information indicating the type of progress mode in which the game is progressing when the game can progress through multiple types of progress modes, or information including both period type information and mode type information.

[0263] In this embodiment, the "multiple game periods" may include, for example, one or more in-play periods and one or more out-of-play periods. Among these, the "in-play period" may be, for example, a period during which the state of a character or object related to the game can be changed in the virtual space related to the game based on the operation of the user of the game device. Also, the "out-of-play period" may be, for example, a period during which the state of a character or object related to the game cannot be changed in the virtual space related to the game based on the operation of the user of the game device. Also, the "out-of-play period" may be, for example, a period during which the final result of the game at the end of the game is less likely to change compared to the "in-play period". Here, the "state of a character or object related to the game" may be the position, posture, movement speed, or movement direction of the character or object related to the game in the virtual space related to the game, or the possibility of the character or object related to the game existing in the game, or a part or all of these.

[0264] In this aspect, the "multiple types of progression modes" may include, for example, an in-play progression mode and an out-of-play progression mode. Among these, the "in-play progression mode" may be, for example, a progression mode in which the state of a character or object related to the game can be changed in a virtual space related to the game based on an operation of a user of the game device. Also, the "out-of-play progression mode" may be, for example, a progression mode in which the state of a character or object related to the game cannot be changed in a virtual space related to the game based on an operation of a user of the game device. Also, the "out-of-play progression mode" may be, for example, a progression mode in which the final result of the game at the end of the game is less likely to change compared to the "in-play progression mode."

[0265] [Appendix 2] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendix 1, characterized in that the analysis information includes message summary information related to the number of message information output from the multiple terminal devices, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message summary information and an auditory effect corresponding to the message summary information to a video related to the game.

[0266] In this aspect, the game control unit applies at least one of visual effects and audio effects to the video related to the game in accordance with the number of pieces of message information output from the multiple terminal devices. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which visual effects and audio effects are not applied to the video related to the game, the user of the game device and the user of the terminal device can easily grasp the number of pieces of message information output from the multiple terminal devices, and can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0267] In the above aspect, the "message aggregation information" may be, for example, information indicating the number of multiple pieces of message information output from multiple terminal devices during the aggregation period, or information indicating the average or median value of the output intervals of multiple pieces of message information output from multiple terminal devices during the aggregation period, or may be some or all of these. Here, the "aggregation period" may be a period that is determined based on the current time and has a predetermined fixed length of time, or may be a period that is determined based on the current time and has a variable length of time.

[0268] [Appendix 3] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the message aggregation information indicates the number of message information output from the multiple terminal devices during a aggregation period determined based on the current time.

[0269] According to this embodiment, compared to an embodiment in which visual and auditory effects are not added to video related to the game, it becomes possible for users of the game device and users of the terminal device to easily grasp the number of pieces of message information output from multiple terminal devices during the collection period, and thus to easily grasp the level of excitement of the game at the current time.

[0270] [Appendix 4] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the analysis information includes message content information obtained by analyzing the contents of each of the multiple message information output from the multiple terminal devices, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message content information and an auditory effect corresponding to the message content information to a video related to the game.

[0271] In this aspect, the game control unit applies at least one of visual effects and audio effects to the video related to the game in accordance with the contents of each of the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which visual effects and audio effects are not applied to the video related to the game, the user of the game device and the user of the terminal device can easily grasp the general state of the contents of each of the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices, and can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0272] In the above aspect, the "message content information" may be, for example, information indicating the number of specified keywords contained in multiple messages indicated by multiple message information output from multiple terminal devices, information indicating the proportion of messages among the multiple messages that contain a specified keyword, information indicating the number of keywords having a specified meaning or a positive meaning contained in the multiple messages, or information indicating the proportion of messages among the multiple messages that contain a keyword having a specified meaning or a positive meaning.

[0273] [Appendix 5] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the analysis information includes message evaluation information relating to an evaluation of each of a plurality of messages corresponding to a plurality of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message evaluation information and an auditory effect corresponding to the message evaluation information to a video related to the game.

[0274] In this aspect, the game control unit applies at least one of visual effects and audio effects to the video related to the game in accordance with the evaluation of each of the multiple messages corresponding to the multiple pieces of message information output from the multiple terminal devices. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which visual effects and audio effects are not applied to the video related to the game, the user of the game device and the user of the terminal device can easily grasp the general state of the evaluation of each of the multiple messages corresponding to the multiple pieces of message information output from the multiple terminal devices, and can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0275] In the above aspect, the "message evaluation information" may be, for example, information indicating the number of messages that were positively evaluated among multiple messages indicated by multiple message information output from multiple terminal devices, or information indicating the proportion of messages that were positively evaluated among the multiple messages, or it may be some or all of these.

[0276] [Appendix 6] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that the game control unit includes a determination unit (e.g., a message incorporation mode determination unit 123) that determines a display mode according to the analysis information, and an imparting unit (e.g., a message incorporation unit 120) that imparts a visual effect to a video related to the game according to the display mode determined by the determination unit.

[0277] In this aspect, the game control unit applies visual effects to the video related to the game in a manner according to analysis information obtained by analyzing multiple pieces of message information. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which visual effects are not applied to the video related to the game, users playing the game on the game device and users viewing the distributed video on the terminal device can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0278] [Appendix 7] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program as described in Appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that the game control unit includes a determination unit that determines a volume according to the analysis information, and an application unit that applies an auditory effect to a video related to the game according to the volume determined by the determination unit.

[0279] In this aspect, the game control unit applies an auditory effect to the video related to the game with a volume corresponding to analysis information obtained by analyzing a plurality of pieces of message information. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared to an aspect in which an auditory effect is not applied to the video related to the game, a user playing the game on the game device and a user viewing the distributed video on a terminal device can easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0280] [Appendix 8] A game device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of the plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0281] According to this embodiment, compared to an embodiment in which visual and auditory effects are not added to video related to a game, it becomes possible for users playing a game on a game device and users viewing a distributed video on a terminal device to easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0282] [Appendix 9] A control method for a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a processor of the game device to function as a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, output from each of the plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, the message information including a message related to the distributed video and / or the game, and the game control unit imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0283] According to this embodiment, compared to an embodiment in which visual and auditory effects are not added to video related to a game, it becomes possible for users playing a game on a game device and users viewing a distributed video on a terminal device to easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game.

[0284] [Appendix 10] A game system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a game device that executes a game and generates video information indicating a video related to the game, and a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing a plurality of message information output from a plurality of terminal devices based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distributed video and the game, which is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices capable of viewing a distributed video based on the video information, and the game device imparts at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information to the video related to the game.

[0285] According to this embodiment, compared to an embodiment in which visual and auditory effects are not added to video related to a game, it becomes possible for users playing a game on a game device and users viewing a distributed video on a terminal device to easily grasp the degree of excitement of the game. [Explanation of symbols]

[0286] 10...game device, 11...control unit, 13...memory unit, 14...operation unit, 15...communication unit, 20...display device, 30...message management server, 31...control unit, 33...memory unit, 35...communication unit, 40...video editing device, 50...video distribution server, 60...SNS server, 70...terminal device, 111...game control unit, 112...message processing unit, 120...message incorporation unit, 121...game progression unit, 122...video information generation unit, 123...message incorporation mode determination unit, 124...message acquisition unit, 125...message judgment unit, 126...message analysis unit, 311...message acquisition unit, 312...message distribution unit, 1001...processor, 1003...storage unit, 1004...operation device, 1005...communication device, 3001...processor, 3003...storage unit, 3005...communication device, Sys...video distribution system, SysG...game system.

Claims

1. A processor of the game device, a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information showing a video related to the game; A distribution video based on the video information is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices that can be viewed. Based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distribution video and the game, a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; and make it work. The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, imparting at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information; The progress information is The game is in progress during a first progress period, or indicating whether the game is progressing in a second progress period, which is a period of a different type from the first progress period or a period in which the game is progressed in a different progress mode from the first progress period; When the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the first progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a first manner; If the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the second progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a second manner; A program characterized by:

2. The analysis information is message tally information relating to the number of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, applying at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message tally information and an auditory effect corresponding to the message tally information; 2. The program according to claim 1 .

3. The message summary information is During the collection period determined based on the current time, A number of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices is indicated.

3. The program according to claim 2.

4. The analysis information is message content information obtained by analyzing the contents of each of the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, imparting at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message content information and an audio effect corresponding to the message content information; 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a program.

5. The analysis information is message evaluation information relating to evaluations of each of a plurality of messages corresponding to the plurality of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, applying at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the message evaluation information and an audio effect corresponding to the message evaluation information; 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a program.

6. The game control unit: A determination unit that determines a display mode according to the analysis information; For the video related to the game, an applying unit that applies a visual effect according to the display mode determined by the determining unit; Equipped with 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a program.

7. The game control unit: A determination unit that determines a volume according to the analysis information; For the video related to the game, an application unit that applies an auditory effect according to the volume determined by the determination unit; Equipped with 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a program.

8. a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information showing a video related to the game; A distribution video based on the video information is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices that can be viewed. Based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distribution video and the game, a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; Equipped with The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, imparting at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information; The progress information is The game is in progress during a first progress period, or indicating whether the game is progressing in a second progress period, which is a period of a different type from the first progress period or a period in which the game is progressed in a different progress mode from the first progress period; When the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the first progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a first manner; If the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the second progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a second manner; A game device comprising:

9. A processor of the game device, a game control unit that executes a game and generates video information showing a video related to the game; A distribution video based on the video information is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices that can be viewed. Based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distribution video and the game, a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; and make it work. The game control unit: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, imparting at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information; The progress information is The game is in progress during a first progress period, or indicating whether the game is progressing in a second progress period, which is a period of a different type from the first progress period or a period in which the game is progressed in a different progress mode from the first progress period; When the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the first progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a first manner; If the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the second progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a second manner; 23. A method for controlling a game device comprising:

10. a game device that executes a game and generates video information showing a video relating to the game; A game system comprising: A distribution video based on the video information is output from each of a plurality of terminal devices that can be viewed. Based on message information including a message related to at least one of the distribution video and the game, a generation unit that generates analysis information by analyzing the plurality of pieces of message information output from the plurality of terminal devices; Equipped with The game device comprises: For the video related to the game, Based on progress status information indicating a progress status of the game, imparting at least one of a visual effect corresponding to the analysis information and an auditory effect corresponding to the analysis information; The progress information is The game is in progress during a first progress period, or indicating whether the game is progressing in a second progress period, which is a period of a different type from the first progress period or a period in which the game is progressed in a different progress mode from the first progress period; When the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the first progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a first manner; If the progress status information indicates that the game is progressing during the second progress period, incorporating a message included in the message information into a video related to the game in a second manner; A game system characterized by:

Images