Game live distribution system and program

Abstract

To make it possible to create excitement in a betting game. [Problem Means] A game live streaming system for realizing a game live streaming service between multiple users including broadcasters and viewers includes a game providing unit that provides a game in which, if a user's vote to predict the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space satisfies a hit condition, the user is awarded a payout based on the amount of value cast in the vote and a payout multiplier; a distribution unit that provides a live stream that distributes a live video of the game played by the broadcaster to the viewer's terminal; and a game control unit that awards a special reward different from the payout to a first user among the multiple users who achieves a predetermined condition related to the payout.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game live distribution system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been services provided that allow users to place bets on publicly managed competitions such as horse racing, boat racing, and bicycle racing via a communication network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Users of such services predict the outcome of the competition and place bets (also called "bet") by placing a monetary or other value on their prediction. The votes are accepted by a server, and once the competition results are finalized, the user is awarded a payout (in the case of publicly managed competitions, a refund) according to the winning bet and the payout rate (so-called "odds"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-000686 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional services (also known as "betting") in which users predict the outcome of a competition and vote, users place votes (bet) with the aim of receiving the highest possible payout. However, when betting is considered as a game, there is an issue that it lacks appeal and excitement as a game.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game live distribution system and program capable of creating excitement in a betting game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The game live streaming system according to the first aspect is a game live streaming system for realizing a game live streaming service between a plurality of users including broadcasters and viewers, and includes a game providing unit that provides a game in which, when a user's vote to predict the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space satisfies a winning condition, the user is awarded a dividend based on the amount of value cast in the vote and a dividend multiplier; a distribution unit that provides a live stream that distributes a live video of the game played by the broadcaster to the viewer's terminal; and a game control unit that awards a special reward different from the dividend to a first user among the plurality of users who achieves a predetermined condition related to the dividend.

[0007] The program of the second aspect causes a computer for realizing a game live streaming service among multiple users including broadcasters and viewers to function as: a game providing unit that provides a game in which, when a user's vote to predict the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space satisfies a winning condition, the user is awarded a dividend based on the amount of value cast in the vote and a dividend multiplier; a distribution unit that provides a live stream that distributes a live video of the game played by the broadcaster to the viewer's terminal; and a game control unit that awards a special reward different from the dividend to a first user among the multiple users who achieves a predetermined condition related to the dividend. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a game live streaming system and program capable of creating excitement in a betting game. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a game live streaming system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the operation of a betting game provided by a distribution server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a distribution server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a viewer's terminal according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A game live-streaming system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The game live-streaming system is a system for live-streaming games between multiple users, including broadcasters and viewers. In the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals.

[0011] (1) System Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game live streaming system 1 according to this embodiment. The game live streaming system 1 realizes a game live streaming service that provides viewers with a live video in real time, which is a gameplay video in which a broadcaster gives commentary while playing the game. In the illustrated example, there is one viewer watching the live video by the broadcaster, but there may be multiple viewers watching the live video by the broadcaster. When there is no need to distinguish between the broadcaster and the viewer, they are also simply referred to as "users." A user is a user of the game live streaming service. It is assumed that a user has an account for the game live streaming service.

[0012] The game live streaming system 1 includes a streaming server 100 and a plurality of terminals 200. The streaming server 100 and the terminals 200 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 10. The communication network 10 includes the Internet. The communication network 10 may include a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0013] The distribution server 100 is configured with one or more computers and is an information processing device of a business providing a game live distribution service. The distribution server 100 may be called a game live distribution server. The distribution server 100 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC (Personal Computer), or may be logically realized by cloud computing (distributed computing). In other words, the distribution server 100 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers.

[0014] The multiple terminals 200 include a distributor terminal 200a and multiple viewer terminals 200b. In a game live distribution service, a user becomes a distributor by selecting a game and starting live distribution of a commentary video. On the other hand, a user becomes a viewer by selecting any distributor and starting watching the commentary video. In other words, one user can be both a distributor and a viewer. One user does not have to be able to be both a distributor and a viewer at the same time. The distribution server 100 accepts access from each terminal 200 and distributes the game commentary video (including audio) provided by the distributor terminal 200a to the viewer terminal 200b.

[0015] A user can individually enjoy the online game provided by the game live streaming system 1. Meanwhile, during live streaming of a live video, a group consisting of multiple users is formed by a broadcaster and one or more viewers watching the broadcaster's live video.

[0016] The terminal 200 is, for example, a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal. The terminal 200 has an interface with a user and an interface with the communication network 10. The interface with the user includes, for example, at least one of a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a touch panel display, a microphone, and a speaker. The interface with the communication network 10 includes at least one of a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface. In the following description of the embodiment, it is mainly assumed that each terminal 200 is a smartphone. It is assumed that an application program for using a game live distribution service is installed in each terminal 200. However, each terminal 200 may be able to use a game live distribution service provided as a web service through a general-purpose web browser. The terminal 200 can play various games provided by the distribution server 100 and distribute or watch the live videos by accessing the distribution server 100 via the installed application program.

[0017] In the game live streaming system 1, a live video of the game (specifically, video data and audio data) is transmitted from the broadcaster's terminal 200a to the distribution server 100, and the distribution server 100 performs various information processing on the live video and transmits (distributes) the live video to the viewer's terminal 200b, and the viewer's terminal 200b displays the live video received from the distribution server 100.

[0018] In the game live streaming system 1, various communication functions are implemented to enable communication between a broadcaster who broadcasts a live video of a game and a viewer who watches the live video. For example, in the game live streaming system 1, a live video of a game is displayed on the terminal 200, and a comment area (chat area) is also displayed, so that a viewer can communicate with the broadcaster through comments (chats). Furthermore, a viewer can give a gift (also called a "support gift") to a broadcaster on the game live streaming service. By giving such a gift to a broadcaster, the viewer can support a broadcaster of his / her choice or use it as an opportunity to communicate with the broadcaster. In the game live streaming service, a broadcaster broadcasts a live video of a game being played to a viewer, and the viewer provides a comment or gift to the broadcaster while watching the live video.

[0019] In the game live streaming system 1, viewers can register (follow) their favorite broadcasters. Generally, viewers are motivated to become fans of the broadcasters they follow and support their favorite broadcasters. Broadcasters are motivated to broadcast live in order to increase their fan base.

[0020] (2) Betting games The distribution server 100 according to the present embodiment provides a game in which a payout is awarded to a user when the user's bet on the outcome of a competition held in a game space satisfies a hit condition. The satisfaction of the hit condition is also referred to simply as "hit". In the following description of the embodiment, such a game is also referred to as a "betting game". In particular, the betting game according to the present embodiment does not use any property or the like for betting and payout, and does not have a gambling nature. Such a betting game may be referred to as a "social betting" game.

[0021] The competition held in the game space may be any game in which victory or defeat or ranking is decided, but may also be, for example, a competition in which a race or battle is automatically held between virtual athletes (virtual players). The virtual athletes may be characters (characters modeled after humans), vehicles, robots, animals, or monsters. In the following description of the embodiment, an arena-style competition in which monsters battle each other is mainly assumed.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the betting game provided by the distribution server 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] STEP 1: First, when a broadcaster starts (hosts) a betting game, each user (broadcaster, viewer) in the group predicts the outcome of the competition held in the game space and votes (bet). The prediction may be for the one remaining monster, or for monsters up to a certain rank (for example, the first and second place monsters and their ranks, or the first to third place monsters and their ranks). In the following explanation of the embodiment, the case of predicting the one remaining monster is mainly assumed. In this case, the hit condition is that the prediction for the one remaining monster is correct.

[0024] A user casts a vote for a prediction by using a voting value (by casting a value). In this embodiment, the voting value is a virtual medal (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "medal") used exclusively for a betting game. The medal cast as the voting value is also referred to as a "betted medal". For example, the medal does not have a monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The medal may be a free medal that can be obtained by satisfying a predetermined condition (for example, logging in to the service) in the game live streaming service (or the betting game). The medal may be obtained by giving a support gift, which is either paid or free. The medal may be a paid medal that can be purchased on the game live streaming service. In any case, the medal cannot be exchanged for cash and can only be used in the betting game, and does not fall under the category of property or the like, so that gambling is avoided. Therefore, a wide range of users can enjoy the betting game.

[0025] Each monster is set with a payout rate (hereinafter referred to as "odds") according to parameters that represent its characteristics (strength, etc.), and generally, the stronger the monster, the lower the odds are set. The betting details of each user in the betting game may be made public to other users in the group.

[0026] STEP 2: After the voting, the competition takes place in the game space. In this embodiment, an automatic battle between monsters takes place. Users (broadcaster, viewers) in the group can watch the monsters battle, and the broadcaster can comment on the battle. For example, as each monster attacks the other monsters, the other monsters' stamina (hit points) decreases, and when the stamina reaches zero, the monster becomes the loser, and the last monster remaining becomes the winner. The broadcaster can comment on the battle, cheering on the monster for which they voted and / or the monster for which the viewers voted. The viewers can post comments cheering on the monster for which they voted and / or the monster for which the broadcaster voted.

[0027] STEP 3: Depending on the result of the competition, a payout is awarded to the user (broadcaster, viewer) according to the payout multiplier. Specifically, a user who correctly predicts the result of the competition is awarded a payout according to the payout multiplier of the correct prediction and the number of medals bet. For example, if the payout multiplier for a certain monster is 2x, and 100 medals are bet on the monster and the monster wins, 200 medals are awarded as a payout. In this embodiment, the payout is a medal used exclusively for the betting game. As described above, the medal does not have a monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The medals obtained as a payout in this way can be used for voting (STEP 1) for the competition (monster battle) to be held thereafter.

[0028] In this way, in the betting game according to the present embodiment, viewers in a group who are watching the betting game played by the distributor can also participate in voting, so it is possible to enhance the sense of unity between the distributor and viewers in the live game broadcast, and to foster excitement in the live game broadcast. In addition, since both voting and payouts use medals that do not fall under the category of property, etc., gambling can be avoided, and a wide range of users can enjoy the betting game.

[0029] (3) Distribution server configuration 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the distribution server 100 according to this embodiment. The distribution server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit .

[0030] The communication unit 110 is a network interface connected to the communication network 10. The communication by the communication unit 110 may be wired communication or may include wireless communication. The communication unit 110 communicates with the terminal 200 via the communication network 10 under the control of the processing unit 130.

[0031] The storage unit 120 includes various memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an auxiliary storage device. The program (game live streaming program) executed by the processing unit 130 is stored in, for example, the ROM and / or the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 stores various databases related to the game live streaming service. In this embodiment, the databases stored in the storage unit 120 include a user information database 121, a game information database 122, a gift information database 123, a prediction result database 124, and a special reward database 125.

[0032] The user information database 121 stores, for each user of the game live streaming service, a user ID, a nickname, avatar information, medal information, owned game currency information, and information on acquired special rewards. The user ID constitutes the user's account information and includes an ID unique to the game live streaming service and / or an ID unique to the betting game. The nickname is a name used to refer to the user in the game live streaming service. The avatar information is information related to the user's avatar used on the game live streaming service.

[0033] The medal information is information on medals possessed by a user, which has value that can be used only in a betting game. The medals have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The medal information includes information on the number of medals possessed by a user and information on the number of medals acquired by the user as a dividend.

[0034] The owned game currency information is information on the game currency owned by the user, which is a value that can be used in betting games and other games (particularly, other games on the game live streaming service). Hereinafter, such game currency is also referred to as "coins". Coins cannot be exchanged for cash. There are free coins that can be obtained by satisfying a certain condition on the game live streaming service (e.g., logging in to the service) and paid coins that can be purchased with money (i.e., charged) on the game live streaming service. Support gifts given on the game live streaming service are given by viewers purchasing gifts by consuming coins. Support gifts purchased by consuming free coins are referred to as "free gifts", and support gifts purchased by consuming paid coins are referred to as "paid gifts". Coins may also be usable for purchasing avatars and / or costumes for use on the game live streaming service.

[0035] The game information database 122 stores information about the betting game. For example, the game information database 122 stores drawing data of each monster, parameters such as the characteristics of each monster, odds information, IDs of each competition, and information about participating users. The game information database 122 may store information about monsters that have been trained in advance by each user (broadcaster, viewer) in association with the user ID. Training refers to a user increasing parameters by training his / her own monster in the game. The parameters include the monster's physical strength (hit points), attack power, defense power, agility, technique (skills), behavioral characteristics (behavior patterns), and good condition. Basically, the better the parameters of a monster, the more likely it is to win a battle, and the odds are set lower. The parameters may include behavioral characteristics and skills. The behavioral characteristics are, for example, characteristics such as easily attacking strong monsters and easily attacking weak monsters. Examples of skills include skills that increase (or restore) one's own hit points, attack power, defense power, or speed, and skills that decrease the attack power, defense power, or speed of other monsters.

[0036] The gift information database 123 stores information about support gifts for supporting broadcasters. As described above, support gifts include free gifts purchased by consuming free coins and paid gifts purchased by consuming paid coins. Support gifts may be dedicated gifts used exclusively for betting games. Details of such dedicated gifts will be described later.

[0037] The prediction result database 124 stores, for example, for each event held in a betting game, information on each user who placed a vote, the voting details (prediction details) of each user, information on whether or not each user's prediction was correct, and information on the payout for each user.

[0038] The special reward database 125 stores information about a special reward that is given to a user (also referred to as a "first user") who has achieved a predetermined condition. The special reward is a reward different from a dividend. Details of the special reward will be described later.

[0039] The processing unit 130 is composed of one or more processors and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for the processor. In this embodiment, the processing unit 130 loads a program (a game live distribution program) stored in the storage unit 120 into the RAM and executes it, thereby functioning as a game providing unit 131, a distribution unit 132, a group processing unit 133, a game control unit 134, and a display control unit 135. Each of these units performs information processing using information stored in the storage unit 120.

[0040] The game providing unit 131 provides a user with a betting game (social betting game) as described above. A betting game is a game in which a payout is awarded to a user (a distributor or a viewer) when the user (a broadcaster or a viewer) predicts the outcome of a competition held in a game space and the user's vote satisfies a hit condition. In a betting game, a betting process, a competition process, and a payout process are performed in the procedure of STEP 1 to STEP 3 shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] The game providing unit 131 accepts votes (bets) from the distributor and / or viewers in the betting game. For example, the game providing unit 131 accepts, from the distributor, a selection operation of a monster predicted by the distributor (i.e., a monster to bet on) on a distribution screen, and also accepts, from the distributor, a selection operation of an amount of value to bet on the monster (i.e., the number of medals to be bet) on the distribution screen.

[0042] In addition, the gaming providing unit 131 accepts votes from the viewer. Specifically, the gaming providing unit 131 accepts, from the viewer on the viewing screen, a selection operation of a monster on which the viewer will bet, and also accepts, from the viewer on the viewing screen, a selection operation of the number of medals to be bet on the monster.

[0043] Here, the game providing unit 131 accepts votes from the distributor and / or the viewer using medals that are exclusively used in the betting game. In this way, the game providing unit 131 accepts votes from the distributor and also from the viewer. In addition, the game providing unit 131 accepts votes from the distributor and the viewer using medals that have value exclusively used in the game and cannot be converted into cash. The game providing unit 131 awards medals determined according to the medals used for the bet and the odds as a payout.

[0044] The distribution unit 132 provides live distribution of a live video of a game played by a distributor to a viewer. A user becomes a distributor by selecting a game and starting distribution of the live video. Meanwhile, a user becomes a viewer by selecting any distributor and starting viewing the live video. In this embodiment, the distribution unit 132 distributes a live video of a betting game played by a distributor to a viewer. Specifically, a live video (video data and audio data) of a betting game is transmitted from the distributor's terminal 200a to the distribution server 100, the distribution server 100 performs various information processing on the live video and transmits (distributes) the live video to the viewer's terminal 200b, and the viewer's terminal 200b displays the live video received from the distribution server 100. In addition to displaying the live video, the viewing screen displayed on the viewer's terminal 200b displays a button for accepting a comment post, a button for accepting a request to give a gift to the distributor, and the like.

[0045] The group processing unit 133 has a comment processing unit 133a that allows comments from viewers to be posted and viewed only within a group consisting of a distributor and one or more viewers watching the live video of the distributor during live streaming of the live video. In this way, by allowing comments to be posted and viewed only within the group during live streaming of the live video, it is possible to enhance a sense of unity within the group consisting of the distributor and the viewers, and to create excitement about betting in a group consisting of multiple users.

[0046] The comment processor 133a may divide a plurality of viewers who watch a live video of a distributor into a plurality of subgroups each including the distributor, and may allow the viewers to post and view comments only within the subgroup. For example, if there is a group including distributor A and viewers B1, B2, B3, and B4, the group may be divided (subgroup divided) into a subgroup consisting of distributor A and viewers B1 and B2, and a subgroup consisting of distributor A and viewers B3 and B4. This allows the game to progress in a competitive manner between the subgroups. Such subgroup division may be performed by the distributor specifying the viewers to be classified into each subgroup, or may be performed according to the results of a random drawing.

[0047] The comment processor 133a may enable comments to be posted and viewed only within the group during the period when the competition (STEP 2) is being held and during the voting period (STEP 1) before the competition is held. The comments of the viewers during the period when the competition (STEP 2) is being held may be comments of support for the monster for which the viewers voted. The comments of the viewers during the voting period (STEP 1) may be comments expressing the viewers' enthusiasm. The distributor reacts to these comments and provides commentary. By enabling such comments to be posted and viewed, it is possible to create excitement in the betting game. The comment processor 133a may also enable comments to be posted and viewed only within the group during the period when the result display (STEP 3) is being held. The comments of the viewers during the period when the result display (STEP 3) is being held may be comments of joy or sadness depending on whether the viewers got the right answer or not.

[0048] The group processing unit 133 has a gift processing unit 133b that enables viewers to give support gifts to the distributor only within the group during live streaming of the commentary video. In this way, by enabling viewers to give support gifts to the distributor only within the group during live streaming of the commentary video, it is possible to enhance a sense of unity within the group consisting of the distributor and the viewers, and to create excitement about betting in a group consisting of multiple users.

[0049] The gift processing unit 133b may allow gift giving only within a group during the period when the competition (STEP 2) is being held and during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition is held. The gift processing unit 133b may also allow gift giving only within a group during the period when the result display (STEP 3) is being held.

[0050] The gift processing unit 133b may group a plurality of viewers who watch a live video of a distributor into a plurality of subgroups each including the distributor, and may allow viewers to give support gifts to the distributor only within the subgroup. For example, if there is a group including distributor A and viewers B1, B2, B3, and B4, the group may be divided (subgroup divided) into a subgroup consisting of distributor A and viewers B1 and B2, and a subgroup consisting of distributor A and viewers B3 and B4. This allows the game to progress in a competitive manner between the subgroups. Such subgroup division may be performed by the distributor specifying the viewers to be classified into each subgroup, or may be performed according to the results of a random drawing.

[0051] The gift processing unit 133b may receive from a viewer a wish to give a dedicated gift (support gift) to a broadcaster, which is used exclusively for a game. For example, a viewer can select a gift using a gift button displayed on a viewing screen of a betting game played by the broadcaster, and give the selected gift. A process may be performed to give a reward in the form of money or a cashable reward to the broadcaster in response to the gift of the dedicated gift. For example, in the game live streaming system 1, a reward may be given to the broadcaster according to the amount of gifts the broadcaster has obtained. Such a reward may be given to a broadcaster who satisfies certain conditions, and an amount obtained by multiplying a broadcast hourly wage determined according to the amount of gifts and the total viewing time by the broadcast time may be given as a broadcast reward. Such a reward can increase the broadcaster's motivation for broadcasting. Gifts can be purchased by viewers using coins (game currency). A paid gift, which is a gift purchased with paid coins (paid game currency), may be set to be a larger reward to the broadcaster than a free gift purchased with free coins (free game currency).

[0052] The dedicated gift may be a gift that gives medals to both the broadcaster and the viewer for voting. The dedicated gift may be a gift that can increase the odds in a betting game. Details of such dedicated gifts will be described later.

[0053] The group processing unit 133 may permit only viewers in the group who satisfy the conditions specified by the distributor to vote (bet). In other words, the group processing unit 133 may prohibit viewers in the group who do not satisfy the conditions specified by the distributor from voting (betting). The conditions specified by the distributor may be, for example, a condition that a level (also called a "cheer level") determined according to the track record of cheering for the distributor is at or above a certain level. When a viewer follows a specific distributor, watches the live broadcast of the specific distributor, or sends a cheering gift to the specific distributor, the cheer level of the viewer for the specific distributor increases. A distributor may want to play a betting game only with his / her own fans, which makes the live broadcast even more exciting. Specifically, the number of users who can participate (bet) in a betting game may be limited to, for example, 20 people. Since a large number of viewers may want to participate in a betting game in which a popular distributor distributes live videos, the distributor can proceed with the betting game limited to his / her own fans by specifying the conditions for permitting voting (betting).

[0054] The game control unit 134 controls odds in a betting game. The game control unit 134 also performs a process of giving a special reward different from a payout to the user. The game control unit 134 will be described in detail later.

[0055] The display control unit 135 controls the display of a voting status object indicating which user in a group consisting of a distributor and one or more viewers has voted (bet) on which virtual athlete (monster in this embodiment) on the display screen of the live video. The voting status object may include information indicating the amount of value (number of medals) that the corresponding user has cast in voting for the corresponding monster. The display screen of the live video is the display screen on the terminal 200a of the distributor and / or the display screen on the terminal 200b of each viewer. This makes it easier for each user to know which monster he / she has bet on and which other users are betting on which monster when enjoying betting in a group. This makes it possible to foster excitement in the betting game in the group. For example, by visually displaying which monster the user is betting on and how many people / how much they are betting on the remaining monsters in an easy-to-understand manner, each user is motivated to watch the battle until the end and get excited.

[0056] The display control unit 135 may control to display the voting status object on the display screen of the live video during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held. This allows each user to decide the monster and the number of medals to bet on, taking into account the betting status of other users in the group.

[0057] The display control unit 135 may control to display the voting status object on the display screen of the live video during the period (STEP 2) in which the competition (battle) is being held. This allows each user to cheer on the monster they have bet on and to know how many people / how much they have bet on the remaining monsters, which motivates each user to watch the battle to the end and get excited.

[0058] The display control unit 135 may control to display information of a predetermined number of users in the group in descending order of hit rate as voting reference information on the display screen of the live video during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held. This allows each user to decide the monster and the number of medals to bet on, taking into consideration the betting status of other users in the group who have a high hit rate.

[0059] When a user selects a monster during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held, the display control unit 135 may display a selection screen for the amount of value (number of medals) to be bet on the monster on the user's terminal 200, and may display a voting status object on the selection screen that is information about other users who voted for the monster and includes the success rate of the other users. This allows each user to determine the number of medals to bet, taking into account the success rate of other users who selected the same monster as the user.

[0060] When the number of users who voted for one monster exceeds a threshold, the display control unit 135 may perform control to display, on the display screen of the live video, a voting status object including information on a predetermined number of users in descending order of the amount of value cast in the vote (number of medals bet) and information indicating the number of remaining users in association with the one monster. When there are many users who voted for one monster, it may be difficult to display information on all of these users (user identification information and number of medals bet) due to the size constraints of the display screen. Therefore, an efficient display is possible by preferentially displaying information on a predetermined number of users in descending order of the amount of value cast in the vote (number of medals bet), and displaying only the number of users for the remaining users.

[0061] The display control unit 135 may display a voting status object including information of users who have voted (bet) on the monster, at least partially overlapping with the display position of the monster object or around the display position of the monster object. This allows the voting status object and the corresponding monster to be displayed in a visually easy-to-understand manner based on the positional relationship between the monster object and the voting status object.

[0062] The game providing unit 131 may display a state observation area including a monster object (monster image) on the display screen during a voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held. The display control unit 135 may change the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object in the state observation area according to a parameter indicating the good condition of the monster. This allows each user to understand the good condition of the monster based on the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object, and to determine the monster and the number of medals to bet on based on the good condition. Note that the parameters of a monster in a good condition may be set higher than those of a monster in a normal condition, and may be set to be more likely to activate a skill that makes it easier to win the competition (battle).

[0063] The display control unit 135 may change the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object according to a parameter indicating the degree of good form and a parameter having randomness during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held. Since the degree of good form of the monster has a large effect on the outcome of the competition (battle), it is expected that many users will bet on monsters that are in good form. However, if it becomes easier for monsters that are in good form to always win, the interest of the betting game will decrease. Therefore, by introducing a parameter having randomness (e.g., a random number) to change the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object, it is possible to provide a randomness that changes the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object regardless of the degree of good form, and it is possible to prevent the interest of the betting game from decreasing.

[0064] The display control unit 135 may control to display information indicating the performance of each monster in the last few games (last few battles) on the display screen of the live video during the voting acceptance period (STEP 1) before the competition (battle) is held. This allows each user to decide which monster to bet on and the number of medals to bet on, taking into account the performance of each monster.

[0065] In this embodiment, the competition held in the game space is a competition in which monsters automatically battle each other to reduce the hit points (HP) of each monster. The display control unit 135 may control the display of a remaining hit point object indicating the remaining hit points (remaining HP) of each monster on the display screen of the live video during the period (STEP 2) in which the competition (battle) is being held. This allows each user to grasp the remaining hit points of each monster based on the remaining hit point object, and to enjoy the battle between monsters.

[0066] The display control unit 135 may control to display information indicating the number of consecutive wins of users in the group who have won during the result display period (STEP 3) after the competition (battle) is conducted on the display screen of the live video. This makes it easier for each user to become engrossed in the betting game so as to increase the number of consecutive wins, and allows users who have not won to use users with a large number of consecutive wins as a reference for future betting.

[0067] (4) Odds Control In the betting game provided by the game providing unit 131, the odds are basically determined according to the parameters of the virtual athletes (monsters in this embodiment). Specifically, when a user predicts the outcome of a competition between monsters in the game space and places a bet, the game providing unit 131 awards the user a payout based on the odds determined according to the parameters of the monsters and the number of medals bet by the user, when the user's bet satisfies a winning condition.

[0068] Thus, in this embodiment, the gaming unit 131 determines the base odds for the monster according to the parameters of the monster, i.e., the likelihood of the monster winning. For example, the gaming unit 131 sets the odds lower for a monster with better parameters. In this embodiment, the gaming unit 131 sets the odds according to the parameters of the monster without considering the popularity rate of the actual monster, but the odds may be adjusted by considering the popularity rate of the actual monster. However, when the popularity rate of the actual monster is considered, a counting process is required to determine the odds, which may hinder the rapid progress of the game. The betting game according to this embodiment is assumed to rotate the cycle of STEP 1 to STEP 3 in a relatively short time, so the popularity rate of the actual monster is not considered.

[0069] In the betting game according to the present embodiment, since betting is performed using medals that do not correspond to property, etc., it is not necessary to take the deduction rate into consideration when determining the odds. It is also possible to set the payout rate to a value greater than 1, and award more medals as a dividend than the total number of medals bet.

[0070] The game control unit 134 performs processing in cooperation with the gift processing unit 133b. The game control unit 134 increases the odds in response to a support gift given from a viewer to a broadcaster during live broadcast of a betting game. Specifically, the odds are increased by multiplying the base odds determined according to the parameters of the monster by N (for example, N is a value of 2 or more). This increases the interest and fun of users (especially viewers) in betting, making it possible to create excitement in betting.

[0071] The support gift, i.e., the gift capable of increasing the odds in the betting game, may be a dedicated gift for exclusive use in the betting game. Such dedicated gifts may be free gifts or paid gifts.

[0072] When a cheering gift (dedicated gift) is given, the game control unit 134 gives the streamer a value (medals) that can be used for voting, and also gives the viewer a value (medals) that can be used for voting. That is, when a cheering gift (dedicated gift) is given, the game control unit 134 gives medals to both the streamer and the viewer. For example, the gift is given by the viewer consuming his / her own coins (free coins or paid coins), and one coin may be equivalent to one medal, or one coin may be exchanged for a value of one medal or more. By giving a medal to the streamer by the gift, the streamer can use the medal for his / her own voting. In addition, by giving a medal to the viewer by the gift, the viewer can use the medal for his / her own voting. Here, the amount of medals given to the viewer may be the same as the amount of medals given to the streamer. Note that the viewer may feel embarrassed about giving a gift to the streamer, but by giving a medal to the viewer as well, it is possible to alleviate such embarrassment and promote the giving of gifts.

[0073] When the gift is a paid gift, the gift processing unit 133b may award more medals to both the broadcaster and the viewer than when the gift is a free gift. For example, a free gift worth one coin may award one medal to both the broadcaster and the viewer, and a paid gift worth one coin may award two medals to both the broadcaster and the viewer. This allows viewers to use different gifts (free gifts, paid gifts) depending on the degree to which they want to support the broadcaster.

[0074] The game control unit 134 may increase the odds in one competition (battle) after the support gift (exclusive gift) is provided in response to the support gift being provided. In this way, by limiting the period for increasing the odds, it is possible to increase the rarity of the increase in odds while creating excitement in the one competition (battle). However, the game control unit 134 may increase the odds in multiple competitions (battles) after the support gift (exclusive gift) is provided in response to the support gift being provided.

[0075] The game control unit 134 may increase the odds for all monsters participating in the competition (battle) in response to the donation of the support gift (exclusive gift). Such odds control is also called "odds level up". This not only makes it possible to raise the odds of monsters with low base odds to a level that interests users, but also makes it possible to raise the odds of monsters with high base odds to a level that is not normally possible, thereby creating excitement in the betting game.

[0076] When a cheering gift (dedicated gift) is presented, the game control unit 134 may probabilistically determine whether or not the odds will be increased and / or the degree of increase in the odds. For example, when a cheering gift (dedicated gift) is presented, the game control unit 134 may determine whether or not to increase the odds by lottery (for example, lottery using a random number from 1 to 100 and a threshold value from 1 to 100). When the game control unit 134 decides to increase the odds, it may determine the degree of increase in the odds by lottery. This can increase the rarity of the increase in odds (odds level up) and increase the excitement when the odds increase.

[0077] The game control unit 134 may set the probability so that the odds are more likely to increase and / or the degree of increase in the odds is greater when the support gift (dedicated gift) is a paid gift, compared to when the support gift (dedicated gift) is a free gift. This allows viewers to use different gifts (free gifts, paid gifts) depending on the degree to which they want to support the streamer and / or liven up betting.

[0078] For example, if a viewer presents a free gift purchased with 100 free coins to a broadcaster, the game control unit 134 will award 300 medals to the viewer and the broadcaster, and will also probabilistically award benefits such as those shown in Table 1.

[0079] [Table 1]

[0080] Here, "increasing the odds level by one level" refers to increasing the odds by one level relative to the base odds, for example, doubling the base odds. "Increasing the odds level by two levels" refers to increasing the odds by two levels relative to the base odds, for example, tripling the base odds.

[0081] On the other hand, if a viewer presents a paid gift purchased with 100 paid coins to a broadcaster, the game control unit 134 will award 300 medals to the viewer and the broadcaster, and will also probabilistically award a bonus as shown in Table 2.

[0082] [Table 2]

[0083] In this way, the game control unit 134 performs the process of increasing the odds level in response to the giving of the support gift (exclusive gift). The increase in the odds level is applied to one battle, and while the odds level is being increased, the display control unit 135 displays information to that effect on the screen.

[0084] The odds level-up corresponds one-to-one with the giving of support gifts (dedicated gifts), but as another method of increasing the odds, the odds can be increased by accumulating points during live streaming. This can increase the motivation of streamers to do long-term live streaming, and also increase the motivation of viewers to watch long-term live streaming.

[0085] Specifically, the game control unit 134 may increase the odds for all monsters when the point value accumulated according to the donation of support gifts (exclusive gifts) to the distributor satisfies a threshold condition. The increase in odds that is triggered when the point value satisfies the threshold condition in this manner is also called "chance time", and the accumulated point value is also called "chance point". The degree of increase in odds in chance time may be greater than that in odds level up.

[0086] When the accumulated point value satisfies the threshold condition (i.e., when the chance time is activated), the game control unit 134 may determine the degree of increase in the odds by lottery from among a plurality of predetermined increase degrees. For example, the plurality of predetermined increase degrees may be four levels, namely, "Small", "Normal", "Super", and "Mega". For example, the degree of increase in the odds relative to the base odds may be 5 times for "Small", 10 times for "Normal", 50 times for "Super", and 100 times for "Mega".

[0087] When the accumulated point value satisfies the threshold condition (i.e., when the chance time is activated), the display control unit 135 may display a lottery screen. The lottery screen may display a roulette with "Small", "Normal", "Super", and "Mega" drawn, and an effect may be displayed in which one of them is selected by lottery. In this case, the chance time may be called "roulette chance". The probability that "Small", "Normal", and "Super" are selected may be about 30%, respectively, and the probability that "Mega" is selected may be about 10%.

[0088] The game control unit 134 may increase the odds for all monsters when the point value accumulated according to the giving of the support gift (exclusive gift) to the distributor and the hit status of the distributor and the viewer meets a threshold condition. That is, the game control unit 134 may increase the point value by accumulating not only the chance points according to the giving of the support gift (exclusive gift) to the distributor, but also the chance points according to the hit status of the distributor and the viewer. For example, the game control unit 134 accumulates "the number of people who predicted the battle correctly × 1 chance point". The game control unit 134 may activate a chance time (roulette chance) when the accumulated point value reaches a threshold (for example, 500).

[0089] When a support gift is given, the game control unit 134 may probabilistically determine whether or not the point value will increase and / or the degree of increase in the point value. When the support gift is a paid gift, the game control unit 134 may set the probability so that the point value is more likely to increase and / or the degree of increase in the point value is greater than when the support gift is a free gift.

[0090] For example, if a viewer presents a free gift purchased with 100 free coins to a broadcaster, the game control unit 134 will award 300 medals to the viewer and the broadcaster, and will also probabilistically award benefits such as those shown in Table 3.

[0091] [Table 3]

[0092] Here, "increasing the odds level by one level" refers to increasing the odds by one level relative to the base odds, for example, doubling the base odds. "Increasing the odds level by two levels" refers to increasing the odds by two levels relative to the base odds, for example, tripling the base odds.

[0093] On the other hand, if a viewer presents a paid gift purchased with 100 paid coins to a broadcaster, the game control unit 134 will award 300 medals to the viewer and the broadcaster, and will also probabilistically award the benefits shown in Table 4.

[0094] [Table 4]

[0095] The display control unit 135 may display the accumulation status of the chance points on the screen. For example, the display control unit 135 may display the accumulated point value by a gauge. This can increase the motivation of each user (broadcaster, viewer) in the group to donate a support gift or continue participating in the betting game in order to increase the point value, thereby creating excitement in the betting game.

[0096] As described above, the group processing unit 133 (and the game providing unit 131) manages the level (cheer level) of each viewer that increases in response to cheering actions for the broadcaster. The game control unit 134 may receive an operation from the broadcaster to specify the level condition of the viewer who is allowed to vote while the odds are increasing (during the odds level up and / or chance time). For example, there are options such as "cheer level 3 or higher", "cheer level 10 or higher", and "cheer level 15 or higher", and the broadcaster may select one of them to specify the level condition that allows voting while the odds are increasing. The game control unit 134 may allow only viewers who meet the level condition to vote while the odds are increasing. In this way, only viewers who have cheered for the broadcaster and have a high relationship value with the broadcaster can vote while the odds are increasing.

[0097] The game providing unit 131 may set an upper limit on the number of users who can participate in one vote. For example, the upper limit may be a predetermined fixed value, for example, 20 people. If there are too many users who can participate in one vote, the time to wait for all users to complete voting will be long and the processing load will be high, so an upper limit is set on the number of users who can vote.

[0098] The game control unit 134 may give priority to a top predetermined number of users who have acquired the most points during live streaming while the odds are rising, and allow them to participate in the vote. Many users would like to participate in betting while the odds are rising, especially during chance time. However, it is unreasonable for viewers who have contributed to the increase in odds to be unable to participate in betting while the odds are rising due to a limit on the number of users who can vote. Therefore, the game control unit 134 allows the top 10 users who have acquired the most chance points during live streaming while the odds are rising to vote, regardless of the limit on the number of users who can vote.

[0099] The game control unit 134 may provide an item (odds-increasing item) associated with a specific monster to a specific user (viewer or distributor) who meets a predetermined condition. The item increases the odds only for the specific monster, even if a support gift is not given during the live broadcast.

[0100] Here, the specified condition may be, for example, the number of medals won reaching a specified number, ranking high in the ranking of the number of medals won, the number of consecutive wins reaching a specified number, the number of winning hits reaching a specified number, the number of cheering gifts given reaching a specified number, a winning hit during the chance time, etc.

[0101] An item (odds-increasing item) associated with a specific monster is, for example, an item such as "Monster A's hearts." The more hearts a user acquires with a certain monster, the higher the "bond level" of that monster. When a user increases the "bond level" of a certain monster, the odds of the user's bet on that monster are always higher than the base odds. Specifically, the higher the "bond level," the greater the increase in odds. This can increase the motivation of users to bet on and support a certain monster with a high "bond level," which can create excitement in the betting game.

[0102] Although such an item effect (increased odds) is an effect that is applied independently to each user, it may also be an effect that is applicable to all users in a group. For example, when a user increases the "bond level" for a certain monster, the odds for that monster (each user's odds) increase probabilistically within the group to which that user belongs. Specifically, the higher the "bond level," the higher the probability that an increase in odds will occur. This allows all users in the group to benefit from the item effect (increased odds), which can create excitement in the betting game.

[0103] In this way, the game control unit 134 awards an item associated with a specific monster to a specific user who satisfies a predetermined condition. The game control unit 134 constantly increases the odds only for the specific monster and only for the specific user, or probabilistically increases the odds only for the specific virtual athlete (the odds of each user). This allows each user to participate in a betting game with the aim of collecting items, making the betting game more interesting.

[0104] As described above, the betting game can be played by a user alone (so-called single player). That is, the game providing unit 131 allows the user to play the betting game alone. This can provide a place for practice as a preliminary step to joining a group and playing a betting game. However, the game control unit 134 sets the odds applied to the group during live distribution higher than the odds setting when the user plays the game alone. This can motivate the user to join a group that is being live distributed. As a specific example, if the odds during single player play are 2x for Monster A and 3x for Monster B, these are doubled in the group during live distribution, and the odds are 4x for Monster A and 6x for Monster B.

[0105] (5)Special compensation The game control unit 134 awards a special reward different from the payout to a first user who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the payout among the multiple users constituting the group. This allows each user to not only vote (bet) with the aim of obtaining a larger payout, but also participate in betting with the aim of obtaining the special reward. In other words, each user can participate in betting with the new aim of obtaining the special reward, which can increase the motivation to continue betting. This can improve the appeal and fun of the betting game.

[0106] The game control unit 134 may manage the total number of medals acquired as a dividend for each user. For example, the game control unit 134 stores in the storage unit 120 the cumulative number of medals acquired, which is a result of accumulating the total number of medals acquired in the past, for each user, and manages the number. The predetermined condition for granting the special reward to the first user may be that the cumulative number of medals acquired by the first user reaches a predetermined number (a medal number threshold). In other words, the game control unit 134 grants the special reward to the first user whose cumulative number of medals acquired has reached the predetermined number (a medal number threshold).

[0107] Here, the medal count threshold may be set in stages. For example, multiple medal count thresholds may be set, such as "100,000 or more cumulatively acquired medals," "500,000 or more cumulatively acquired medals," "1 million or more cumulatively acquired medals," and "2.5 million or more cumulatively acquired medals." In this case, a different special reward is associated with each medal count threshold. Therefore, the higher the medal count threshold, the higher the rarity of the special reward that is granted when the medal count threshold is achieved. Therefore, each user can continue betting, motivated by the hope of obtaining a special reward with a high rarity.

[0108] The game control unit 134 may manage user rankings according to the cumulative number of medals acquired. For example, the game control unit 134 stores in the storage unit 120 a user ranking in which users are ranked in descending order of the cumulative number of medals acquired, and manages the user rankings. The period for counting the cumulative number of medals acquired for the ranking may be a period of 12 hours, one day, one week, or one month. The predetermined condition for granting a special reward to a first user may be that the first user has achieved a high ranking in the user rankings. In other words, the game control unit 134 grants a special reward to a first user who has achieved a high ranking in the user rankings.

[0109] There may be multiple modes of winning in the top ranks according to the rankings. For example, multiple modes of winning in the top ranks may be set, such as "ranked 1st," "ranked 2nd," "ranked 3rd," "in the top 10 rankings," and "in the top 100 rankings." In this case, a different special reward is associated with each mode of winning in the top ranks. Therefore, the rarity of the special reward awarded for winning in the higher ranks increases. Therefore, each user can continue betting by being motivated by the hope of receiving a special reward with a high rarity.

[0110] The game control unit 134 may manage, for each user, the number of hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied, or the number of consecutive hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied consecutively (also referred to as the number of consecutive wins). For example, the game control unit 134 stores and manages, in the storage unit 120, the result of accumulating the number of past hits and / or the number of consecutive hits for each user. The predetermined condition for granting the special reward to the first user may be that the number of hits or the number of consecutive hits of the first user have reached a predetermined number (number threshold). In other words, the game control unit 134 grants a special reward to a first user whose number of hits or the number of consecutive hits has reached a predetermined number (number threshold).

[0111] Here, the number of times threshold may be set in stages. For example, a plurality of number of times thresholds may be set for the number of hits, such as "10 hits" and "50 hits". A plurality of number of times thresholds (consecutive win thresholds) may be set for the number of consecutive hits, such as "3 consecutive wins" and "5 consecutive wins". In this case, a different special reward is associated with each number of times threshold. Therefore, the higher the number of times threshold, the higher the rarity of the special reward that is granted when the number of times threshold is achieved. Therefore, each user can continue betting, motivated by the hope of obtaining a special reward with a high rarity.

[0112] In the above-mentioned chance time (roulette chance), when the point value (chance point) accumulated according to the gift of support gifts from the viewers to the distributor and / or the number of hits that satisfy the hit condition satisfies a threshold condition, the game control unit 134 increases the odds by a degree of increase determined by lottery from among a plurality of predetermined increase degrees. For example, the degree of increase of the odds during the chance time is determined by lottery from among "Small", "Normal", "Super", and "Mega". The predetermined condition for the special reward to be given to the first user may be that the first user satisfies the hit condition when the odds are increasing by a predetermined degree of increase (e.g., "Super" or "Mega"). In other words, the game control unit 134 gives a special reward to the first user who wins when the odds are increasing by a predetermined degree of increase (e.g., "Super" or "Mega") during the chance time.

[0113] Chance Time is not activated unless the chance points reach a threshold, and the odds increase rate "Mega" in particular has a low probability of being drawn. It is difficult to win under such rare circumstances, and users who win under rare circumstances are worthy of praise, so we have decided to give them a special reward. Therefore, each user can continue betting by being motivated by the chance to receive the rare special reward.

[0114] The game control unit 134 may manage, for each user, the number of times that a dedicated gift is given, which is a gift given from a viewer to a distributor to increase odds and / or to obtain medals that can be used for voting. For example, the game control unit 134 accumulates the number of times that a dedicated gift (e.g., a paid gift) has been given in the past for each user, and stores and manages the number of times in the storage unit 120. The predetermined condition for granting a special reward to a first user may be that the number of times that the first user has given a gift has reached a predetermined number (number of times threshold). In other words, the game control unit 134 grants a special reward to a first user whose number of times that a gift has been given has reached a predetermined number (number of times threshold).

[0115] Users who have given a large number of dedicated gifts are users who have performed more cheering actions toward the broadcaster as viewers of the betting game. By giving special rewards to such users, the motivation of users (viewers) to perform cheering actions toward the broadcaster can be increased, which contributes to creating excitement in the betting game.

[0116] When the first user achieves a predetermined condition during live distribution, the display control unit 135 may control to display an object (for example, a comment) indicating that the first user has achieved the predetermined condition on the live video. For example, when the first user achieves the condition of "accumulated acquisition of 100,000 or more medals", the display control unit 135 may post a comment within the group to which the first user belongs, saying "~ has achieved accumulated acquisition of 100,000 or more medals". This allows each user (distributor, viewer) in the group to understand the degree of the first user's involvement (progress) in the betting game. Therefore, the distributor can praise the first user in the live commentary (audio) and the viewer can post a comment praising the first user, which can create excitement in the betting game.

[0117] The special reward given to the first user may be an item (game object) that is associated with the achieved condition (predetermined condition) and that is viewable by a second user different from the first user on the game live streaming service. The display control unit 135 may display the item in association with the first user. This allows each user to know which condition the first user achieved in the betting game based on the item displayed in association with the first user. In other words, each user can know the degree to which other users have played the betting game, and therefore can increase their motivation to continue playing the betting game, which contributes to creating excitement in the betting game.

[0118] The item given as the special reward may be an avatar item to be used for the first user's avatar on the game live streaming service. The avatar item may be an outfit (including a hat or accessories) worn by the avatar, or a character (such as a pet) associated with the avatar or its outfit. This allows each user to know which condition the first user has achieved in the betting game based on the avatar of the first user displayed on the game live streaming service.

[0119] The item given as the special reward may be a title item related to the achieved condition, which is given to the first user's icon (profile image, which may be an avatar image) and / or the first user's comments on the game live streaming service. The title item may be called a "medal," "badge," "ribbon," "signboard," or the like. This allows each user to know which condition the first user achieved in the betting game based on the first user's icon and / or the first user's comments displayed on the game live streaming service. For example, the title item is an object with text such as "Over 2.5 million medals won in total," "Top 10 in the rankings," or "Mega Roulette Chance Winner."

[0120] The special reward given to the first user may be an odds-increasing item associated with a specific monster. As described above, the odds-increasing item is an item for increasing the "bond level" with the monster. Based on the odds-increasing item, the game control unit 134 constantly increases the odds only for the specific monster and only for the first user, or probabilistically increases the odds only for the specific monster and for each user.

[0121] The special reward given to the first user may be a right that guarantees a certain number of medals that the first user can use for voting. The right may be an item such as "infinite medals." Based on the right, the game control unit 134 controls the number of medals that the first user can use for voting so that it does not fall below a certain number. For example, the game control unit 134 automatically supplies medals so that the number of medals owned by the first user does not fall below 100. Such a special reward can prevent a situation in which the first user runs out of medals and is unable to participate in a betting game.

[0122] The special reward given to the first user may be a right to allow the first user to participate in voting as a viewer in an event in which only those who rank highly in the broadcaster ranking of the betting game can participate as broadcasters of the live broadcast of the betting game. The game control unit 134 allows only those viewers who have the right to vote during the event. The event is also called a "championship", and the right is also called a "betting participation right". The championship is an event held over a predetermined period of time, and a special chance mode is introduced. In the broadcaster ranking, broadcasters are ranked according to the time the live broadcast was viewed and / or the gifts given. Those who rank highly in the broadcaster ranking (e.g., the top 10, 20, etc.) are broadcasters who are popular in the live broadcast of the betting game. In the championship in which only such popular broadcasters perform the live broadcast of the betting game, many viewers want to participate in the betting, so the betting participation right may be given as a special reward.

[0123] (6) Screen display example 4 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of display screens on the viewer's terminal 200b according to this embodiment.

[0124] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution list screen SC0 for selecting a distributor who is currently live distributing content.

[0125] Prior to the broadcast list screen SC0, the viewer selects the game for which he or she wishes to watch live broadcast of the commentary video on the terminal 200b using the game live broadcast application, and when the viewer selects a betting game, the screen transitions to the broadcast list screen SC0.

[0126] The broadcast list screen SC0 displays a list of broadcasters who are live broadcasting a betting game. The broadcast list screen SC0 includes display areas A1, A2, A3, ... for each broadcaster. Each display area A displays a preview of the live video, an icon of the broadcaster's avatar, the broadcaster's name (nickname), the number of participants (number of people in the group excluding the broadcaster), and information on the betting participation conditions. Each display area A may display a title item (ribbon) related to the conditions achieved by the corresponding broadcaster. When a viewer selects (tap) the area A corresponding to the broadcaster whose live video they want to watch from the broadcast list screen SC0, the viewer is taken to a viewing screen where they can watch the live video of that broadcaster.

[0127] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a vote acceptance screen (monster selection screen, betting screen) SC1 among the viewing screens.

[0128] The voting reception screen SC1 has a gauge area B1 that shows the accumulated status of chance points, a status observation area B2 for observing the status of the monsters participating in the competition (battle), an area B3 that displays voting reference information showing the hit status of users within the group, and an area (object) B4 for each monster participating in the competition (battle).

[0129] In the gauge area B1, the hit status within the group (for example, the total number of hits) and / or the result of counting the giving status of support gifts within the group are accumulated as chance points (count value) and are displayed by a gauge. When the chance points are full (when the threshold condition is met), the above-mentioned chance time is triggered.

[0130] During the increase in the odds level, a message such as "Odds level 1 increase" or "Odds level 2 increase" may be displayed above or below the gauge area B1.

[0131] In the state observation area B2, objects (monster objects, characters) of each monster participating in the competition (battle) are displayed. In the illustrated example, an example in which three monsters participate is shown, but two monsters or four or more monsters may participate. Here, the appearance and / or behavior of each monster object changes according to a parameter representing its own good condition. The parameter representing the good condition may be, for example, three types: "good condition", "bad condition", and "normal". The good condition of each monster may change regularly (for example, periodically) according to a predetermined rule, or may change irregularly (for example, non-periodically). For example, a monster in good condition is drawn to have a facial expression and / or a behavior representing good condition. On the other hand, a monster in bad condition is displayed to have a facial expression and / or a behavior representing bad condition. In this way, each user can grasp the state of each monster object displayed in the state observation area B2 and select a monster that is likely to win the competition (battle).

[0132] However, since the monster's good form has a large impact on the outcome of the competition (battle), it is expected that many users will bet on monsters that are in good form. However, if good form monsters are always more likely to win, the betting game will become less interesting. For this reason, a parameter with randomness (e.g., random numbers) is also introduced to change the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object. This makes it possible to provide a randomness that changes the appearance and / or behavior of the monster object regardless of the good form, and thus makes it possible to prevent the betting game from becoming less interesting.

[0133] Area B3, which displays voting reference information showing the hit rates of users in the group, displays information on a predetermined number of users in the group in descending order of hit rate. For example, area B3 displays the user name (nickname) and hit rate for each user ranked 1st to 3rd. This allows users to determine which other users they should use as a reference for their vote (monster selection) based on the information displayed in area B3.

[0134] The areas (objects) B4 (B4a to B4c) for each monster participating in the competition (battle) display the monster name, odds, a monster image, the results of the last few matches (the last three matches in the illustrated example), and each parameter. For example, the area B4a displays the monster name "Monster A", odds "5.1 times", a monster image, the results "3rd place → 1st place → 3rd place", and each parameter "characteristics, hit points (HP), attack power, defense power". In addition, each area B4 is provided with a "BET" button for the distributor to place a vote (bet).

[0135] During the odds level-up or chance time, an object indicating that the odds are increasing (e.g., an upward arrow) may be displayed around the odds displayed in each of the areas B4a to B4c. On the other hand, when the odds of a specific monster (odds of all users) are increasing due to the item effect (bond level), the monster may be displayed in a special color (e.g., gold).

[0136] Partially overlapping the area B4 (object) for each monster (on the left side in the illustrated example), a voting status object B5 indicating which users have voted for that monster is displayed. For example, three users have voted for monster A, and three voting status objects B5a to B5c corresponding to the three users are displayed. Each voting status object B5 includes an avatar (icon) as identification information for the corresponding user, and a numerical value indicating the number of medals bet by the user. This allows the user to know which user has bet on which monster based on each voting status object B5, and can use it as a reference for deciding which monster and the number of medals to bet. Each voting status object B5 may further display a title item (ribbon) related to the condition achieved by the corresponding user.

[0137] The vote reception screen SC1 further includes a button B6 that the viewer selects (tap) to place a bet, and a button B7 that the broadcaster selects (tap) to start a monster battle. The battle start button B7 can only be selected (tapped) by the broadcaster, and the broadcaster starts the battle after confirming that each viewer has placed a bet.

[0138] The vote reception screen SC1 further includes a comment posting area B8 for viewers to post comments, a button B9 used by viewers to give support gifts, and an area B10 displaying the viewer's own avatar (icon). After selecting (tapping) the button B9, the viewer can post a comment by inputting a character string for the comment and tapping the send button. As shown in FIG. 6, the comments B11 posted by each viewer are displayed in chronological order for a predetermined period of time, with only a predetermined number of comments (three in the illustrated example). When any user achieves a predetermined condition during live distribution, the display control unit 135 may post a comment indicating that the user has achieved the predetermined condition.

[0139] When the viewer selects (tap) the button B6 in FIG. 5, the screen transitions to a monster list screen, and when any monster is selected on this screen, a medal number selection area C1 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In the illustrated example, a display example when "Monster B" is selected is shown. In the medal number selection area C1, a display of the medal number to be bet, various buttons for selecting the medal number to bet, and a button C2 for confirming the medal number to bet are displayed. Furthermore, the medal number selection area C1 displays objects C3 of other users who have bet on the selected monster. This allows the user to select the medal number to bet by himself / herself, taking the object C3 into consideration. The object C3 includes an avatar (icon) as identification information of the corresponding user, a numerical value indicating the number of medals bet by the user, and information indicating the hit rate of the user. Here, when the odds (the odds of the user) are increased by an item effect (bond level) applied only to the user, an object indicating the increase in odds due to the item effect may be displayed.

[0140] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen SC2 as an example of a screen during a competition according to the present embodiment.

[0141] After the voting is over, an automatic battle between monsters takes place on the battle screen SC2. Users (broadcasters, viewers) can watch the monsters battle (and viewers' comments), broadcasters can report on the battle, and viewers can post comments. On the battle screen SC2, for example, as each monster attacks the other monsters, the other monsters' physical strength (hit points) decreases, and when their physical strength reaches zero, they become the loser, and the last monster remaining becomes the winner.

[0142] The battle screen SC2 has a monster object D1 that behaves according to the battle situation, an object D2 that displays the remaining hit points of the corresponding monster, an object D3 (voting status object) for each user who voted for the corresponding monster, and a fixed object D4 (voting status object) for displaying the voting status.

[0143] The monster object D1 disappears from the battle screen SC2 when its own hit points reach 0. The object D2 is drawn at a position around the corresponding monster, and the remaining hit points of the monster are shown by a gauge and a numerical value.

[0144] The object D3 (voting status object) is drawn at a position around the corresponding monster and includes an avatar (icon) as identification information of the user who bet on the monster and a numerical value indicating the number of medals bet by the user. This allows each user to easily know which monsters he or she and other users bet on.

[0145] When each monster's turn to attack comes around, the monster object is enlarged and displayed, or both the monster object and the monster object of the monster being attacked are enlarged and displayed. Therefore, each monster is not always displayed on the battle screen SC2. Therefore, the object D4 (voting status object) is displayed fixedly regardless of the actions of each monster, and includes the icon of each monster and the avatar icon of the user who bet on that monster.

[0146] Regarding object D3 (voting status object) and / or object D4 (voting status object), if there are many users who voted for one monster, it may be difficult to display information about all of these users (user identification information and number of medals bet) due to the size constraints of the display screen. Therefore, it is possible to display information about a predetermined number of users in descending order of the amount of value cast in the vote (number of medals bet), and to display only the number of users (for example, "+1") for the remaining users, thereby making the display more efficient.

[0147] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of a result screen SC3 that displays the competition results and predicted results according to this embodiment.

[0148] 9, the result screen SC3 displays information indicating the balance of the current battle or the total balance of multiple battles for each of the broadcaster and the broadcaster's viewers, and information indicating whether the prediction for each battle was correct or not (in the illustrated example, a white circle indicates a hit, and a black circle indicates a miss). When any user achieves a predetermined condition, the display control unit 135 may control the display of an object (text) indicating that the user has achieved the predetermined condition on the result screen SC3.

[0149] As shown in Fig. 10, the result screen SC3 may display information indicating the number of consecutive wins of users in the group who have won. In the example shown in the figure, the number of consecutive wins of a user who is on a winning streak and the identification information (avatar icon) of the user are displayed. In addition, the hit rate of the user may be displayed.

[0150] (7) Other embodiments In the above embodiment, a function may be introduced in which the points bet on a battle in which none of the users (distributors or viewers) predict correctly are accumulated, and a user who predicts correctly in a subsequent battle can take all the accumulated points. Such a take-all function may be provided during the above-mentioned chance time.

[0151] The operation flows and operation examples in the above-mentioned embodiments do not necessarily have to be executed in chronological order according to the order described in the flow diagram or sequence diagram. For example, the steps in the operations may be executed in an order different from that described in the flow diagram or sequence diagram, or may be executed in parallel. Some of the steps in the operations may be deleted, and additional steps may be added to the process. The operation flows and operation examples in the above-mentioned embodiments may be executed separately and independently, or two or more operation flows and operation examples may be executed in combination. For example, some steps of one operation flow may be added to another operation flow, or some steps of one operation flow may be replaced with some steps of another operation flow.

[0152] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute the operations according to the above-described embodiments. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, it is possible to install the program in a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient storage medium. The non-transient storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0153] As used in this disclosure, the terms "based on" and "depending on" do not mean "based only on" or "depending only on", unless otherwise specified. The term "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on". Similarly, the term "depending on" means both "based only on" and "depending at least in part on". In addition, the terms "include", "comprise", and variations thereof do not mean including only the items listed, but may include only the items listed, or may include additional items in addition to the items listed. In addition, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or. In this disclosure, when articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles are intended to include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0154] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes, etc. are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1: Game live streaming system 10: Communication Network 100: Distribution server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 121: User information database 122: Game Information Database 123: Gift information database 124: Prediction results database 125: Special Reward Database 130: Processing section 131: Game Provider 132: Distribution Department 133: Group processing unit 133a: Comment processing section 133b: Gift Processing Department 134: Game control unit 135: Display control unit 200: Terminal

Claims

1. A game live streaming system for live streaming a game among a plurality of users including a broadcaster and a viewer, comprising: an information processing device that communicates with each of the terminals of the plurality of users and provides an online game; The information processing device includes: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing the total amount of value acquired as the dividend for each user; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and performing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user. The predetermined condition is that the total amount of value acquired by the first user as the dividend reaches a predetermined amount. Game live streaming system.

2. A game live streaming system for live streaming a game among a plurality of users including a broadcaster and a viewer, comprising: an information processing device that communicates with each of the terminals of the plurality of users and provides an online game; The information processing device includes: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing user rankings according to the total amount of value acquired as the dividend for a plurality of said competitions; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and performing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user. The predetermined condition is that the first user has won a high ranking in the user ranking. Game live streaming system.

3. A game live streaming system for live streaming a game among a plurality of users including a broadcaster and a viewer, comprising: an information processing device that communicates with each of the terminals of the plurality of users and provides an online game; The information processing device includes: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process for managing the number of hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied in a plurality of said competitions, or the number of consecutive hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied consecutively, for each user; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and performing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user. The predetermined condition is that the number of hits of the first user or the number of consecutive hits of the first user has reached a predetermined number. Game live streaming system.

4. A game live streaming system for live streaming a game among a plurality of users including a broadcaster and a viewer, comprising: an information processing device that communicates with each of the terminals of the plurality of users and provides an online game; The information processing device includes: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; When the point value accumulated according to the donation of support gifts from the viewers to the distributor and / or the number of hits that satisfy the hit condition satisfies a threshold condition, a process of increasing the payout rate by a degree of increase determined by lottery from among a plurality of predetermined increase degrees; A process of identifying a first user who has achieved a predetermined condition among the plurality of users; and performing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user. The predetermined condition is that the first user satisfies the winning condition when the payout rate is increased by a predetermined increase rate by the increasing process. Game live streaming system.

5. A game live streaming system for live streaming a game among a plurality of users including a broadcaster and a viewer, comprising: an information processing device that communicates with each of the terminals of the plurality of users and provides an online game; The information processing device includes: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing, for each user, the number of times that the viewers can give the dedicated gifts to the distributor, the dedicated gifts being for increasing the payout ratio and / or obtaining a value that can be used for the vote; A process of identifying a first user who has achieved a predetermined condition among the plurality of users; and performing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user. The predetermined condition is that the number of gifts of the first user has reached a predetermined number. Game live streaming system.

6. The information processing device performs control to display, when the first user achieves the predetermined condition during the live distribution, an object indicating that the first user has achieved the predetermined condition on the live video. The game live distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The information processing device, a process of granting, as the special reward, an item that is associated with the achieved condition and that is viewable by a second user different from the first user on the game live streaming service; and performing a process of controlling display of the item in association with the first user. The game live distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The information processing device controls to display, as the item, an avatar item to be used for the avatar of the first user on the game live streaming service in association with the first user. The game live distribution system according to claim 7.

9. The information processing device performs control to display, as the item, a title item related to the achieved condition that is assigned to an icon of the first user and / or a comment of the first user on the game live streaming service in association with the first user. The game live distribution system according to claim 7.

10. The information processing device, a process of granting, as the special reward, a payout rate increasing item associated with a specific virtual player in the online game; always increasing the payout rate only for the specific virtual athlete and for the first user, or stochastically increasing the payout rate only for the specific virtual athlete and for each user, based on the payout rate increasing item. The game live distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The information processing device, storing an amount of value possessed by each user and available for voting; and automatically granting a quantity of value to the first user as the special reward so that the quantity of value that the first user can use for the vote does not fall below a certain quantity. The game live distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. the special reward is a right for the first user to participate in the voting as the viewer in an event in which only those ranked high in a broadcaster ranking of the online game can participate as a broadcaster of the live broadcast, The information processing device includes: A process of granting the special reward to the first user before the event is held; During the event, a process of allowing only the viewers who have the right to vote is performed. The game live distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

13. A computer for communicating with each terminal of a plurality of users including a distributor and a viewer and for providing an online game, A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing the total amount of value acquired as the dividend for each user; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and executing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user; The predetermined condition is that the total amount of value acquired by the first user as the dividend reaches a predetermined amount. program.

14. A computer for communicating with each terminal of a plurality of users, including a distributor and a viewer, and for providing an online game, comprising: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing user rankings according to the total amount of value acquired as the dividend for a plurality of said competitions; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and executing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user; The predetermined condition is that the first user has won a high ranking in the user ranking. program.

15. A computer for communicating with each terminal of a plurality of users, including a distributor and a viewer, and for providing an online game, comprising: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process for managing the number of hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied in a plurality of said competitions, or the number of consecutive hits, which is the number of times the hit condition is satisfied consecutively, for each user; A process of identifying a first user among the plurality of users who has achieved a predetermined condition related to the competition a plurality of times; and executing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user; The predetermined condition is that the number of hits of the first user or the number of consecutive hits of the first user has reached a predetermined number. program.

16. A computer for communicating with each terminal of a plurality of users, including a distributor and a viewer, and for providing an online game, comprising: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; When the point value accumulated according to the donation of support gifts from the viewers to the distributor and / or the number of hits that satisfy the hit condition satisfies a threshold condition, a process of increasing the payout rate by a degree of increase determined by lottery from among a plurality of predetermined increase degrees; A process of identifying a first user who has achieved a predetermined condition among the plurality of users; and executing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user; The predetermined condition is that the first user satisfies the winning condition when the payout rate is increased by a predetermined increase rate by the increasing process. program.

17. A computer for communicating with each terminal of a plurality of users, including a distributor and a viewer, and for providing an online game, comprising: A process of providing a live distribution in which a live video of the online game played by the distributor using a terminal of the distributor is acquired from the terminal of the distributor and the acquired live video is distributed to a terminal of the viewer; During the live distribution, a process of accepting, via a terminal of the user, a vote made by the user predicting the outcome of a competition between virtual athletes in a game space of the online game and specifying an amount of value; When it is determined that the vote satisfies a hit condition indicating that the prediction has been hit during the live distribution, a process of awarding a dividend to the user based on the amount of the value cast by the user in the vote and a payout rate; A process of managing, for each user, the number of times that the viewers can give the dedicated gifts to the distributor, the dedicated gifts being for increasing the payout ratio and / or obtaining a value that can be used for the vote; A process of identifying a first user who has achieved a predetermined condition among the plurality of users; and executing a process of granting a special reward different from the dividend to the specified first user; The predetermined condition is that the number of gifts of the first user has reached a predetermined number. program.

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