Information processing apparatus

Abstract

This game image distribution system 1 comprises a first information processing device 10 operated by a player A of a game, a second information processing device 20 operated by a photographer B, and a third information processing device 30 operated by a viewer. The first information processing device 10 displays, on a first display device 12, a play image depicting a virtual space of a game operated in accordance with information about a game operation performed by the player A, as captured by a virtual camera for play images. The second information processing device 20 displays, on a second display device 22, a distribution image as captured by a virtual camera in accordance with information about a camera operation carried out by the photographer B in the virtual space of the game being played by the player A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for distributing game images.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image sharing system that distributes a distribution image including a game image being played by a distribution user to a viewing user via a shared server. In the image sharing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a viewing application acquires information on content being live-distributed from a management server and generates a list screen, and a viewing user selects the content to be viewed from the list screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional image sharing system, a viewing user can enjoy the game commentary by a player while viewing the same game image as the player, but may feel monotony in viewing the image from the player's perspective. Therefore, there is an urgent need to construct a mechanism for adding variations to the game commentary.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new technique for distributing game images to viewers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a game image distribution system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first information processing device operated by a player of a game, a second information processing device operated by a photographer, and a third information processing device operated by a viewer. The first information processing device includes a first operation information receiving unit that receives game operation information for a player to operate a game, and a first output processing unit that displays, on a first display device, a play image captured by a virtual camera for play images of a virtual space of the game operated according to the game operation information. The second information processing device includes a second operation information receiving unit that receives camera operation information for a photographer to operate a virtual camera for distribution images within a virtual space of the game being played by the player, a second output processing unit that displays, on a second display device, a distribution image captured by the virtual camera for distribution images according to the camera operation information, and a distribution unit that transmits the distribution image. The third information processing device includes an image acquisition unit that acquires the distribution image, and a third output processing unit that displays the acquired distribution image on a third display device.

[0007] In addition, any combination of the above components, and those obtained by converting the expression of the present invention among methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a game image distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game image distribution system 1 includes a first information processing device 10 operated by a player A of the game, a second information processing device 20 operated by a photographer B, a third information processing device 30 operated by a viewer C, and a server system 4, and these are connected via a network 3 such as the Internet. The server system 4 has a management server 6 that manages information related to image distribution and a sharing server 8 that provides a sharing service for game images. The management server 6 and the sharing server 8 may be managed by the same operating entity or may be managed by separate operating entities. In the embodiment, the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 have the same functions. The third information processing device 30 may be a device having the same functions as the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20, or may be a device having different functions.

[0010] In the game image distribution system 1, a plurality of players A are operating the game using the input devices 14 respectively. Each player A may play the game alone in the single - play mode or play the game with multiple players in the multi - play mode. The photographer B operates a virtual camera for distribution images within the virtual space of the game being played by the player A to capture game images (distribution images) for distribution. By directly operating the virtual camera within the game virtual space, the photographer B can capture game images different from the game images seen by the player A.

[0011] In the game image distribution system 1, the photographer B becomes a distributor who broadcasts the game play of player A, shoots the game virtual space where player A is playing, and streams the captured image (distribution image) to the shared server 8. The distribution image is streamed together with the game sound, but the description of the distribution of the game sound is omitted. Before the start of shooting, the photographer B selects which player A's game play to distribute.

[0012] Multiple photographers B can each shoot the game play of one player A with their own camera work and each broadcast the game. At this time, the viewer C can select one of the multiple photographers B and watch the game broadcast of the selected photographer B. In the game image distribution system 1, since the photographer B is selected by the viewer C, an evaluation regarding popularity, fame, etc. can be given to the photographer B. For example, if a mechanism is constructed such that the photographer B receives a reward according to the evaluation, the photographer B will strive to increase the number of viewers by honing their camera work skills, talk skills, etc., and thus the image distribution in the game image distribution system 1 will be activated.

[0013] The first information processing device 10 is a game console that executes a game program, and the input device 14 is connected to the first information processing device 10 wirelessly or by wire. The player A inputs game operation information to the input device 14, and the input device 14 outputs the game operation information input by the player A to the first information processing device 10. When the first information processing device 10 receives the game operation information from the input device 14, it reflects it in the processing of the game program and outputs the game image being played (hereinafter also referred to as the "play image") and the game sound from the first display device 12. The first display device 12 may be a television or a head-mounted display.

[0014] The second information processing device 20 is a game console that executes a game program, and the input device 24 is connected to the second information processing device 20 wirelessly or by wire. In an embodiment, the second information processing device 20 may be a game console having the same functions as the first information processing device 10. The second information processing device 20 executes a program of the same game that player A is playing, acquires game operation information by player A, and reflects the game operation information by player A in the processing of the game program. Therefore, the second information processing device 20 constructs the same game virtual space as the game virtual space constructed by the first information processing device 10 operated by player A. When player A is playing a game with other players, the second information processing device 20 acquires game operation information by all players including player A and reflects it in the processing of the game program. In this way, the game virtual space constructed in the second information processing device 20 becomes the same as the game virtual space constructed in the first information processing device 10 operated by player A.

[0015] The game program of the embodiment has a function that enables the participation of the photographer B who is not player A. The number of people who can participate as the photographer B may be set for each game. In this game program, when a user participates in the game as the photographer B, the operation right of the virtual camera for the distribution image in the game virtual space is granted. Since the photographer B does not participate as a player, basically, he / she cannot participate in the game progress, but there may be options to participate within certain limits. The degree of participation of the photographer B in the game progress may be determined for each game.

[0016] Photographer B inputs the operation information of the virtual camera into the input device 24, and the input device 24 outputs the camera operation information by Photographer B to the second information processing device 20. When the second information processing device 20 receives the camera operation information from the input device 24, it moves the virtual camera within the game virtual space and outputs the game image (distribution image) and game sound based on the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera from the second display device 22. The second display device 22 may be a television or a head-mounted display. Photographer B streams the distribution image and game sound to the shared server 8 to broadcast the game play of Player A.

[0017] The third information processing device 30 is a terminal device that plays back the distribution image, and the input device 34 is connected to the third information processing device 30 wirelessly or by wire. The input device 34 may be integrated with the third information processing device 30. Different from the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20, the third information processing device 30 does not necessarily have the function of executing the game program. However, if the third information processing device 30 has the function of executing the game program similar to the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20, viewer C can also participate in the game as Player A or Photographer B.

[0018] Viewer C can access the shared server 8 and select the game broadcast to watch from the selection screen of the game broadcast during streaming. When multiple Photographers B are broadcasting, Viewer C may select the most exciting game broadcast among the game broadcasts by multiple Photographers B. Therefore, it is preferable that information that becomes a factor for Viewer C to select the game broadcast, such as the number of viewers for each game broadcast and the evaluation of Photographer B, is displayed on the selection screen of the game broadcast.

[0019] Thus, in the game image distribution system 1, since the distributor is the photographer B instead of the player A, the game play by a single player A may be broadcasted by multiple photographers B. The photographer B may engage in activities to enhance their own evaluation, such as specializing in broadcasting a specific game or becoming a broadcaster dedicated to a specific player.

[0020] The management server 6 provides network services to users who operate the first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20, and the third information processing device 30. The management server 6 manages network accounts for identifying users, and users sign in to the network services using these network accounts. By signing in to the network services, users can participate in the services related to game image distribution as player A, photographer B, or viewer C.

[0021] In the embodiment, the management server 6 manages game plays that can be distributed by photographers B other than player A. The user registers information with the management server 6 that determines whether to permit a third - party photographer to distribute their game play. The user may permit distribution by the photographer conditionally or unconditionally. The photographer B can access the management server 6, view the selection screen of distributable game plays, and select the game play to be distributed from the selection screen.

[0022] The sharing server 8 generates a selection screen for game broadcasts distributed by multiple photographers B. When viewer C selects the game broadcast to view from the selection screen, the sharing server 8 transmits the distribution image to the third information processing device 30. If the third information processing device 30 has the function of executing the game program in the same way as the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20, viewer C may participate in the game as a photographer B. If viewer C does not participate in the game as a photographer B, the third information processing device 30 does not need to have the function of executing the game program and may be a mobile terminal device installed with a viewing application for distribution images, such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the hardware configurations of the first information processing apparatus 10 and the second information processing apparatus 20. The first information processing apparatus 10 and the second information processing apparatus 20 include a main power button 40, a power-on LED 41, a standby LED 42, a system controller 44, a clock 46, a device controller 50, a media drive 52, a USB module 54, a flash memory 56, a wireless communication module 58, a wired communication module 60, a subsystem 70, and a main system 80.

[0024] The main system 80 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory which is a main storage device and a memory controller, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like. The GPU is mainly used for arithmetic processing of game programs. These functions may be configured as a system on chip and formed on one chip. The main CPU has a function of executing a game program recorded in an auxiliary storage device or a ROM medium 64.

[0025] The subsystem 70 includes a sub CPU, a memory which is a main storage device and a memory controller, etc., does not include a GPU, and does not have a function of executing a game program. The number of circuit gates of the sub CPU is less than that of the main CPU, and the operating power consumption of the sub CPU is less than that of the main CPU. The sub CPU operates even while the main CPU is in the standby state, and its processing function is restricted in order to keep the power consumption low.

[0026] The main power button 40 is an input unit for receiving an operation input from a user, is provided on the front surface of the housing, and is operated to turn on or off the power supply to the main system 80. The power-on LED 41 lights up when the main power button 40 is turned on, and the standby LED 42 lights up when the main power button 40 is turned off.

[0027] The system controller 44 detects the pressing of the main power button 40 by the user. When the main power button 40 is pressed while the main power is in the off state, the system controller 44 acquires the pressing operation as an "on instruction". On the other hand, when the main power button 40 is pressed while the main power is in the on state, the system controller 44 acquires the pressing operation as an "off instruction".

[0028] The clock 46 is a real-time clock that generates current date and time information and supplies it to the system controller 44, the subsystem 70, and the main system 80. The device controller 50 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) that executes the transfer of information between devices like a south bridge. As shown in the figure, devices such as the system controller 44, the media drive 52, the USB module 54, the flash memory 56, the wireless communication module 58, the wired communication module 60, the subsystem 70, and the main system 80 are connected to the device controller 50. The device controller 50 absorbs the differences in the electrical characteristics of each device and the differences in data transfer speeds, and controls the timing of data transfer.

[0029] The media drive 52 is a drive device that mounts and drives a ROM medium 64 recording application software such as games and license information, and reads programs, data, etc. from the ROM medium 64. The ROM medium 64 may be a read-only recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a Blu-ray disk.

[0030] The USB module 54 is a module that connects to an external device via a USB cable. The USB module 54 may be connected to an auxiliary storage device, a microphone, and a camera, which are external devices, via a USB cable. The flash memory 56 is an auxiliary storage device that constitutes the internal storage. The wireless communication module 58 wirelessly communicates with, for example, the input devices 14 and 24 using communication protocols such as the Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol and the IEEE802.11 protocol. The wired communication module 60 may communicate with an external device and connect to an external network 3 via an access point.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the functional blocks of the first information processing apparatus 10. The first information processing apparatus 10 includes a processing unit 100 and a communication unit 102, and the processing unit 100 includes an operation information reception unit 110, a game execution unit 112, a game image generation unit 114, an output processing unit 116, a connection unit 118, and an operation information transmission unit 120.

[0032] In Figure 3, each element described as a functional block that performs various processes can be configured, in terms of hardware, by circuit blocks, memories, and other LSIs, and can be realized, in terms of software, by system software, a game program loaded in the memory, and the like. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any of them.

[0033] The communication unit 102 is connected to the input device 14 and receives the game operation information input by player A to the input device 14. The functional block of the communication unit 102 may be configured to combine the functions of the wireless communication module 58 and the wired communication module 60 shown in Figure 2. The operation information reception unit 110 receives, from the communication unit 102, the game operation information for player A to operate the game.

[0034] The game execution unit 112 executes a game program. Here, the functional blocks shown as the game execution unit 112 are realized by software such as system software and game software, and hardware such as a CPU. In response to the execution result of the game program, the game image generation unit 114 generates game image data, and the game sound generation unit (not shown) generates game sound data.

[0035] During the game play by Player A, the game execution unit 112 executes the game program and performs arithmetic processing to move the game character in the game virtual space based on the game operation information input by Player A to the input device 14. The game image generation unit 114 includes a GPU that executes rendering processing and generates game image data captured by a virtual camera for the play image arranged in the game virtual space according to the game operation information. The viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of this virtual camera are automatically set by the game program. The game sound generation unit generates game sound data within the game virtual space.

[0036] Figure 4 shows an example of the game image displayed on the first display device 12. During the game play of Player A, the game image generation unit 114 generates a play image captured by a virtual camera for the play image arranged in the game virtual space, and the output processing unit 116 displays the play image on the first display device 12. The game title that Player A is playing and the play time of the game are managed by the management server 6.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the functional blocks of the second information processing device 20. The second information processing device 20 includes a processing unit 200 and a communication unit 202, and the processing unit 200 includes an operation information reception unit 210, a game execution unit 212, a game image generation unit 214, an output processing unit 216, a connection unit 218, a game selection image acquisition unit 220, an operation information acquisition unit 222, a distribution unit 224, a viewer input reception unit 226, and an operation information transmission unit 228.

[0038] In FIG. 5, each element described as a functional block that performs various processes can be configured, in terms of hardware, by circuit blocks, memories, and other LSIs, and in terms of software, can be realized by system software, a game program loaded into a memory, or the like. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any one of them.

[0039] As described above, in the embodiment, the first information processing apparatus 10 and the second information processing apparatus 20 are the same game console. Therefore, the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 102 in the first information processing apparatus 10 respectively correspond to the processing unit 200 and the communication unit 202 in the second information processing apparatus 20, and the operation information reception unit 110, the game execution unit 112, the game image generation unit 114, the output processing unit 116, and the connection unit 118 in the processing unit 100 may have the same functions as the operation information reception unit 210, the game execution unit 212, the game image generation unit 214, the output processing unit 216, and the connection unit 218 in the second information processing apparatus 20, respectively.

[0040] The communication unit 202 is connected to the input device 24 and receives operation information input by the photographer B to the input device 24. In the following description, since the photographer B has not yet participated in the game as a photographer, for convenience, the photographer B is referred to as "user B". The functional block of the communication unit 202 may be configured to have the functions of the wireless communication module 58 and the wired communication module 60 shown in FIG. 2. When the operation information reception unit 210 receives operation information instructing access to the management server 6 from the communication unit 202, the connection unit 218 accesses the management server 6, and the game selection image acquisition unit 220 acquires a game selection image for selecting a distributable game play from the management server 6.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows an example of a selection image of gameplay displayed on the second display device 22. The output processing unit 216 displays on the second display device 22 a game selection image for selecting a distributable gameplay. In this example, the output processing unit 216 is displaying on the second display device 22 a selection image of a distributable gameplay for the game title "Battlefield".

[0042] The management server 6 manages the game titles and play times of each player A. As described above, player A has registered distribution permission information in the management server 6 that determines whether or not to permit distribution by the photographer. Based on the distribution permission information, the management server 6 identifies player A who has permitted distribution, generates a selection image that enables selection of the gameplay of the player A, and provides it to the second information processing device 20.

[0043] When user B inputs a specific game title into the search area 230, the management server 6 generates a selection image of a distributable gameplay for the game title and provides it to the second information processing device 20. When user B changes the sorting condition 232, the display order in the selection image is changed.

[0044] The output processing unit 216 displays the player name as information regarding the gameplay. By looking at the player name, user B can determine whether the player is a famous player and select a gameplay to broadcast. By broadcasting the gameplay of a famous player, user B can increase the number of viewers and improve his / her own evaluation. In the game image distribution system 1, each player A is not prevented from broadcasting their own gameplay. In the game selection image shown in FIG. 6, "Live" marks are displayed on the game images of player aaa and player bbb, which means that player aaa and player bbb are each broadcasting their own gameplay.

[0045] In this example, the sorting condition 232 is set to "number of viewers (in descending order)", and the management server 6 calculates the total number of viewers of the distribution by player A himself and the number of viewers of the distribution by the cameraman, and derives the number of viewers of the game play of each player A. The output processing unit 216 displays the number of viewers of the currently distributed game image as information regarding the game play. By including the number of viewers of the distribution by player A himself and the number of viewers of the distribution by cameramen other than player A in the number of viewers to be displayed, it becomes an index that accurately represents the degree of attention.

[0046] The operation information reception unit 210 receives operation information in which user B has selected a game play. The information indicating the selection of the game play is transmitted from the communication unit 202 to the management server 6, and the management server 6 provides the second information processing device 20 with information for connecting to the first information processing device 10 of the selected player A. The connection unit 218 uses the information for connecting to the first information processing device 10 to connect to the connection unit 118 of the first information processing device 10 of the selected player A by P2P communication.

[0047] After the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 are connected, the game execution unit 212 starts the same game program as the game that player A is playing, and user B participates in the game as a cameraman. Hereinafter, user B will be referred to as "cameraman B". The second information processing device 20 forms the same virtual space as the game virtual space formed in the first information processing device 10 in the second information processing device 20. Therefore, the operation information acquisition unit 222 acquires game operation information for forming the same game virtual space from the first information processing device 10.

[0048] In the first information processing apparatus 10, an operation information transmitting unit 120 transmits game operation information for reforming the game virtual space in the first information processing apparatus 10 to a second information processing apparatus 20. In the second information processing apparatus 20, a game execution unit 212 executes a game program and performs arithmetic processing for moving a game character in the game virtual space based on game operation information by player A. By moving the game character according to the game operation information by player A, the game execution unit 212 constructs the same game virtual space as the game virtual space in which player A is playing. In the second information processing apparatus 20 of the embodiment, a photographer B can operate a virtual camera for a distribution image in the game virtual space, a game image generation unit 214 generates an image captured by the virtual camera operated by the photographer B, and an output processing unit 216 displays the generated image on a second display device 22. Since the image generated by the game image generation unit 214 is an image to be distributed to viewer C, hereinafter, this image may also be referred to as a "distribution image".

[0049] FIG. 7 shows an example of a distribution image displayed on the second display device 22. An operation information receiving unit 210 receives camera operation information in which a photographer B operates a virtual camera for a distribution image in the virtual space of the game being played by player A and provides it to the game execution unit 212. The game execution unit 212 executes a game program and performs processing for moving the virtual camera for the distribution image in the game virtual space based on the camera operation information input by the photographer B to the input device 24. The game image generation unit 214 includes a GPU and generates game image data captured by the virtual camera moved according to the camera operation information. The camera operation information by the photographer B sets the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. The output processing unit 216 displays the distribution image captured by the virtual camera on the second display device 22.

[0050] In principle, Photographer B only has the right to operate the virtual camera within the game virtual space and cannot participate in the game progress. Photographer B can freely move the virtual camera for the live broadcast image within the game virtual space and shoot the game virtual space from any perspective. Since Photographer B can shoot scenes that can never be seen from the player's perspective, a novel game live broadcast becomes possible. Photographer B may attempt to differentiate from other Photographer Bs by honing their shooting skills and enhance their own evaluation.

[0051] The distribution unit 224 transmits the live broadcast image and the game sound to the shared server 8. At this time, Photographer B inputs the uttered voice into the microphone and also transmits the live commentary voice to the shared server 8 together. The distribution unit 224 may transmit the live broadcast image, the game sound, and the live commentary voice to the shared server 8 as one streaming data. Additionally, the distribution unit 224 may also include the camera image of Photographer B in one streaming data and transmit it to the shared server 8.

[0052] Figure 8 shows the functional blocks of the third information processing device 30. The third information processing device 30 includes a processing unit 300 and a communication unit 302, and the processing unit 300 includes an operation information reception unit 310, a selection image acquisition unit 312, a live broadcast image acquisition unit 314, an output processing unit 316, and a connection unit 318.

[0053] In Figure 8, each element described as a functional block for performing various processes can be composed of circuit blocks, memories, and other LSIs in terms of hardware, and can be realized by system software, game programs loaded into the memory, etc. in terms of software. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any one of them.

[0054] The communication unit 302 is connected to the input device 34 and receives the operation information input by the viewer C to the input device 34. When the operation information receiving unit 310 receives the operation information instructing to access the shared server 8 from the communication unit 302, the connection unit 318 accesses the shared server 8, and the selection image acquisition unit 312 acquires from the shared server 8 a photographer selection image for selecting the photographer B during the live distribution of the game image.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows an example of the photographer selection image displayed on the third display device 32. The output processing unit 316 displays on the third display device 32 a photographer selection image for selecting a photographer. The "Live" mark indicates that the photographer is in the middle of a live distribution. In this example, the output processing unit 316 displays on the third display device 32 an image for selecting photographers ppp, qqq, rrr, and sss who are in the middle of live-distributing the game image.

[0056] The shared server 8 manages the shooting history such as the game titles and shooting times that the photographer has shot so far, the number of followers, the number of "likes" received from the viewer C, and the like. The shared server 8 may derive an evaluation of the photographer from the shooting history, the number of followers, the number of likes, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the photographer ppp is given the title 330 which is the highest evaluation for a commentator, and the viewer C recognizes that the photographer ppp is an excellent commentator.

[0057] The output processing unit 316 may display, as information about the photographer, the shooting time for each game title and display an evaluation according to the shooting time. In this example, the shared server 8 evaluates the shooting time for each game title, and if the shooting time exceeds a predetermined time, it awards the photographer a camera trophy, which is a virtual award. Note that the camera trophy may be awarded to the photographer by the game program. For example, if the shooting time exceeds 40 hours, a bronze trophy 340b is awarded; if the shooting time exceeds 200 hours, a silver trophy 340c is awarded; and if the shooting time exceeds 800 hours, a gold trophy 340a is awarded. By awarding a camera trophy for each game title, viewer C can easily recognize the game titles that the photographer is good at broadcasting live.

[0058] When viewer C operates the input device 34 to select a photographer included in the photographer selection image, the operation information reception unit 310 receives the operation information that viewer C has selected the photographer. The information indicating that the photographer has been selected is transmitted from the communication unit 302 to the shared server 8, and the shared server 8 transmits the distribution image that the selected photographer is broadcasting live to the third information processing device 30 of viewer C. The distribution image acquisition unit 314 acquires the distribution image from the shared server 8, and the output processing unit 316 displays the distribution image on the third display device 32. Thereby, viewer C can view the distribution image shot by the selected photographer B. Viewer C may transmit feedback such as "like" to the shared server 8 as an evaluation of the distribution image.

[0059] Note that when the shared server 8 receives information about the photographer selected by viewer C from the third information processing device 30, the shared server 8 may transmit a list of distribution images shot by the photographer currently and in the past to the third information processing device 30. By doing so, viewer C can view distribution images distributed in the past in addition to the distribution images being broadcast live.

[0060] As described above, the present invention has been explained based on the embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these constituent elements and combinations of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] In the embodiment, one photographer B was the distributor, but a plurality of photographers B may form one distribution team, and the distribution team may distribute streaming data. In this case, a team member called a switcher temporally switches the distribution images captured by the plurality of photographers B and distributes them.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows an editing screen for switching displayed on the second display device 22 of the switcher. Game images captured by four photographers are transmitted to the second information processing device 20 of the switcher. In this example, Alan captured the first game image, Brawn captured the second game image, Charles captured the third game image, and Dean captured the fourth game image. The switcher operates the input device 24 to include one distribution image in the streaming data while temporally switching the distribution images. The switcher can conduct a more attractive game live broadcast by selecting and distributing the distribution image that is considered to excite the viewer C the most. Note that the switcher may include two or more distribution images in the streaming data at the same time to distribute a new live image that has never existed before.

[0063] In the embodiment, it was explained that the photographer B generally cannot participate in the game progress. In the modification example, the photographer B may participate only in part of the game progress. For this purpose, the viewer input reception unit 226 receives an input from the viewer C for the distribution image from the third information processing device 30. This input may be a "like" input or may be another form of feedback. The viewer input reception unit 226 may receive an input from the viewer C via the server system 4. The photographer B has the right to intervene in the game on the condition that the received input amount exceeds a predetermined value. For example, for the purpose of livening up the game commentary, the photographer B presents a weapon to the character of player A or interferes with the enemy character, etc., to intervene in the game play. For example, the photographer B may obtain the right to intervene in the game play on the condition that 1000 "likes" are received from the viewer C. When the operation information reception unit 210 receives operation information for the distributed game play from the photographer B, the operation information transmission unit 228 transmits the operation information to the first information processing device 10 of the player A. By being able to intervene in the game on the condition that the input amount received from the viewer C exceeds a predetermined value, the popular photographer B can intervene in the game frequently and enhance the charm of the game commentary.

[0064] In the embodiment, it was explained that the second information processing device 20 has a game execution unit 212 and executes a program of the same game as player A. However, in the modification example, the second information processing device 20 may not have a game execution unit 212. In this case, the game execution unit 112 in the first information processing device 10 may move a virtual camera for the distribution image in the game virtual space based on the camera operation information by the photographer B, and supply an image captured by the virtual camera for the distribution image to the second information processing device 20.

[0065] In the embodiment, the first information processing apparatus 10 has the game execution unit 112, and the second information processing apparatus 20 has the game execution unit 212, and each executes the game program. However, in a modification, the first information processing apparatus 10 may not have the game execution unit 112, and the second information processing apparatus 20 may not have the game execution unit 212. In this case, the game execution unit may be provided in a cloud server (not shown), and the first information processing apparatus 10 and the second information processing apparatus 20 may be supplied with game images from the cloud server.

[0066] In the embodiment, it has been described that when the third information processing apparatus 30 of the viewer C accesses the shared server 8, the selection image acquisition unit 312 acquires from the shared server 8 a photographer selection image for selecting the photographer B who is distributing the game image. In a modification, the selection image acquisition unit 312 may acquire from the shared server 8 a selection image for selecting a game image being distributed. For example, in this selection image, a list of distribution images of the game title may be displayed by specifying the game title. Even in this case, it is preferable that information about the photographer B who is photographing the distribution image is displayed so that the viewer C can select the distribution image.

Industrial Applicability

[0067] The present invention can be used in the technical field of distributing game images.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 1... Game image distribution system, 4... Server system, 6... Management server, 8... Shared server, 10... First information processing device, 12... First display device, 14... Input device, 20... Second information processing device, 22... Second display device, 24... Input device, 30... Third information processing device, 32... Third display device, 34... Input device, 100... Processing unit, 102... Communication unit, 110... Operation information reception unit, 112... Game execution unit, 114... Game image generation unit, 116... Output processing unit, 118... Connection unit, 120... Operation information transmission unit, 200... Processing unit, 202... Communication unit, 210... Operation information reception unit, 212... Game execution unit, 214... Game image generation unit, 216... Output processing unit, 218... Connection unit, 220... Game selection image acquisition unit, 222... Operation information acquisition unit, 224... Distribution unit, 226... Viewer input reception unit, 228... Operation information transmission unit, 300... Processing unit, 302... Communication unit, 310... Operation information reception unit, 312... Selection image acquisition unit, 314... Distribution image acquisition unit, 316... Output processing unit, 318... Connection unit.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus operated by a user, a selection image acquisition unit that acquires a game selection image for selecting a distributable game play from a server; an output processing unit that displays on a display device a game selection image including the number of viewers of the game image currently being distributed; an operation information reception unit that receives operation information indicating that the user has selected a game play; a communication unit that transmits information indicating that a game play has been selected to the server and receives, from the server, information for connecting to a player device being operated by a player of the selected game play; a connection unit that connects to the player device using the information for connecting to the player device; an operation information acquisition unit that acquires, from the player device, game operation information by which the player operates the game; and a game execution unit that executes the same game program as the game being played by the player and moves a game character in a game virtual space based on the game operation information by the player, wherein the output processing unit displays, in the game selection image, as information regarding the game play, the number of viewers obtained by adding up the number of viewers of the distribution by the player himself / herself and the number of viewers of the distribution by a photographer other than the player. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. An information processing apparatus operated by a user, a selection image acquisition unit that acquires a game selection image for selecting a distributable game play from a server; an output processing unit that displays on a display device a game selection image including the number of viewers of the game image currently being distributed; an operation information reception unit that receives operation information indicating that the user has selected a game play; a communication unit that transmits information indicating that a game play has been selected to the server and receives, from the server, information for connecting to a player device being operated by a player of the selected game play; A connection part for connecting to the player device using information for connecting to the player device, An operation information acquisition part for acquiring game operation information by which a player operates a game from the player device, A game execution part that executes the same game program as the game being played by the player and performs processing to move a game character in a game virtual space based on the game operation information by the player, and is provided with: In the game selection image, the output processing part displays, as information related to game play, a mark indicating that the player is live-playing on the game image of the player who is live-playing the game. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

3. An information processing apparatus operated by a user, A selection image acquisition part for acquiring a game selection image for selecting a distributable game play from a server, An output processing part for displaying on a display device a game selection image including the number of viewers of the game image currently being distributed, An operation information reception part for receiving operation information in which the user selects a game play, A communication part for transmitting information on the selected game play to the server and receiving, from the server, information for connecting to the player device being operated by the player of the selected game play, A connection part for connecting to the player device using information for connecting to the player device, An operation information acquisition part for acquiring game operation information by which a player operates a game from the player device, A game execution part that executes the same game program as the game being played by the player and performs processing to move a game character in a game virtual space based on the game operation information by the player, and is provided with: The operation information reception part receives camera operation information in which the user operates a virtual camera for distribution images within the virtual space of the game being played by the player, The game execution unit performs a process of moving a virtual camera for a distribution image in the game virtual space based on the camera operation information, The output processing unit displays the distribution image captured by the virtual camera for the distribution image on the display device, The information processing apparatus, A distribution unit that transmits the distribution image, A viewer input reception unit that receives an input to the distribution image from a viewer device operated by a viewer who views the distribution image, An operation information transmission unit that transmits operation information for intervening in the ongoing game play to the player device on the condition that the received input amount exceeds a predetermined value, and further includes, An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

4. The output processing unit displays the player name as information regarding the game play, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

Images