Control system, information system, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide a control system capable of generating diverse distribution content for reflecting a user's intension or taste.SOLUTION: A control system 40 supports generation of distribution content V for expressing progress of a game played by a user U, and includes an information providing part 412 for providing the user U with location information L1 for expressing a location of material data Q1 for expressing a performance material used for the distribution content V, a material control part 413 for updating the material data Q1 in parallel with progress of a game played by the user U under a control condition set according to an instruction by the user U, and a material transmission part 312 for transmitting the material data Q1 to an editing system 30 in parallel with progress of a game played by the user U according to a request M1 utilizing the location information L1 from the editing system 30 for generating the distribution content V.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for supporting the generation of content representing the progress of a game. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques for editing game images that represent the progress of a game have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which content is generated using game data that represents the game situation and the content is synthesized with a game image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6098691 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It has become common for individual users to distribute images showing the progress of the game they are playing (so-called game commentary videos) in parallel with the progress of the game. In the technology of Patent Document 1, information along with the progress of the game is simply synthesized with the game images, making it difficult to generate diverse content that reflects the intentions or preferences of individual users. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present invention aims to generate diverse distribution content that reflects the intentions or preferences of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a control system that assists in the generation of distribution content that represents the progress of a game played by a user, and includes: an information providing unit that provides the user with location information indicating the location of material data that represents performance materials used in the distribution content; a material control unit that updates the material data in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, under control conditions set in accordance with instructions from the user; and a material transmission unit that transmits the material data to the editing system that generates the distribution content in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, in response to a request using the location information from the editing system.

[0006] An information system according to one aspect of the present invention is an information system comprising a recording system and a control system, wherein the recording system includes a game control unit that progresses a game played by a user, a condition setting unit that sets control conditions in accordance with instructions from the user, a material acquisition unit that acquires material data representing performance materials from the control system, and an editing processing unit that generates distribution content including play materials representing the progress of the game and performance materials represented by the material data, and the control system includes an information providing unit that provides location information representing the location of the material data to the user, a material control unit that updates the material data under the control conditions in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, and a material transmission unit that transmits the material data to the recording system in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, in response to a request from the recording system using the location information.

[0007] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for assisting in the generation of distribution content representing the progress of a game played by a user, which method includes providing the user with location information indicating the location of material data representing performance materials used in the distribution content, updating the material data in parallel with the progress of the game as played by the user under control conditions set in accordance with instructions from the user, and transmitting the material data to the editing system that generates the distribution content in parallel with the progress of the game as played by the user in response to a request using the location information from the editing system.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for assisting in the generation of distribution content representing the progress of a game played by a user, and causes a computer to function as an information providing unit that provides the user with location information representing the location of material data representing performance materials used in the distribution content, a material control unit that updates the material data in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, under control conditions set in response to instructions from the user, and a material transmission unit that transmits the material data to an editing system that generates the distribution content in parallel with the progress of the game as the user plays, in response to a request using the location information from the editing system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of distribution content. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of control conditions. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an editing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the performance material. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information system. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure for initial setting. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the game device in a first preparation process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control system in a first preparation process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the editing system in the second preparation process. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the editing system in an editing process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control system in an editing process. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the game device in an editing process. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of distribution content in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of control conditions in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the rendering material in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the game device in a first preparation process. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control system in a first preparation process. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the editing system in the second preparation process. [Figure 25]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the editing system in an editing process. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control system in an editing process. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the game device in an editing process. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below include various technically suitable limitations. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified below.

[0011] [First embodiment] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information system 1 according to a first embodiment. The information system 1 is a computer system for distributing content V related to a game played by a user U (hereinafter referred to as "distribution content") to multiple terminal devices 10. In the first embodiment, a baseball game in which two teams, each consisting of multiple characters (hereinafter referred to as "player characters"), play against each other in baseball is illustrated as an example.

[0012] The distribution content V is composed of images (moving or still images) and audio. The distribution content V in the first embodiment is a game commentary video in which a user U plays a baseball game while commenting on the progress of the baseball game. The distribution content V is distributed to each terminal device 10 in real time (i.e., live distribution) in parallel with the progress of the baseball game.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating distribution content V. As illustrated in FIG. 2, distribution content V includes multiple materials X (Xa, Xb, X1). Each material X is an element (source) that constitutes distribution content V, and is composed of either or both of image and sound. Distribution content V in the first embodiment includes play material Xa, recorded material Xb, and performance material X1.

[0014] The play material Xa is material that shows the progress of a baseball game played by a user U. The recorded material Xb is material that records the user U commenting on the progress of the game while playing the baseball game. For example, the recorded material Xb is composed of an image of the user U playing the baseball game and the sound produced by the user.

[0015] The effect material X1 is material for effecting a baseball game that is linked to the progress of the game. For example, when an event such as a home run occurs in a baseball game, the effect material X1 that effects the event is played. In FIG. 2, the decorative character "Clack!!" representing the sound of a ball hitting the ground is shown as an example of the effect material X1. The effect material X1 is displayed, for example, in a size that covers both the play material Xa and the recorded material Xb. One or more effect materials X1 are arranged in the distribution content V. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the play material Xa and the recorded material Xb are composed of images (video or still images) and audio, and the effect material X1 is composed of images (video or still images).

[0016] 1 is a device capable of playing back distribution content V. For example, a portable or stationary information device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer may be used as the terminal device 10. In addition, a display device such as a television receiver may also be used as the terminal device 10.

[0017] Terminal device 10 includes a playback device 11 and an operation device 12. Playback device 11 plays distribution content V. Playback device 11 includes a display device 111 and a sound emitting device 112. Display device 111 displays an image of distribution content V. Sound emitting device 112 emits the sound of distribution content V. Operation device 12 is an input device that accepts operations by a user (hereinafter referred to as "viewer") A of terminal device 10. Viewer A views distribution content V. Note that playback of distribution content V may be achieved by a general-purpose browser or a dedicated application program.

[0018] 1, the information system 1 includes a recording system 2, a control system 40, and a distribution system 50. The recording system 2, the control system 40, and the distribution system 50 communicate with each other via a communication network 3 such as the Internet.

[0019] The recording system 2 generates distribution content V. The control system 40 controls the performance material X1 in the distribution content V according to the progress of the baseball game. The distribution system 50 distributes the distribution content V generated by the recording system 2 to each terminal device 10. The distribution system 50 receives the distribution content V generated by the recording system 2 and transmits the distribution content V to each terminal device 10 in parallel. For example, the distribution system 50 is realized by a known video distribution server (e.g., a streaming server). Therefore, a detailed description of the distribution system 50 will be omitted.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the recording system 2 includes a game device 20 and an editing system 30. The game device 20 controls a baseball game. For example, a portable or stationary information device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer is used as the game device 20. Alternatively, a dedicated portable or stationary game device may be used as the game device 20. The editing system 30 is a computer system for generating distribution content V. For example, a portable or stationary information device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer is used as the editing system 30. Each of the game device 20 and the editing system 30 communicates with the recording system 2 via a communication network 3. Note that the first embodiment illustrates an example in which the game device 20 and the editing system 30 are configured as separate entities.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of game device 20. As illustrated in Fig. 3, game device 20 is a computer system including a control device 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, a playback device 24, and an operation device 25. Game device 20 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0022] The control device 21 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the game device 20. Specifically, the control device 21 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The communication device 23 communicates with the control system 40 via the communication network 3. The communication device 23 also communicates with the editing system 30.

[0023] The playback device 24 plays images and sounds according to the progress of the baseball game under the control of the control device 21. Specifically, the playback device 24 includes a display device 241 and a sound emitting device 242. The display device 241 displays images (hereinafter referred to as "game images") according to the progress of the baseball game. The sound emitting device 242 emits sounds according to the progress of the baseball game. The images of the play material Xa of the distribution content V are the same as the game images displayed on the display device 241. However, the play material Xa and the game images do not need to be exactly the same images. For example, the play material Xa is generated by combining a decorative frame image with the game image. The operation device 25 is an input device that accepts operations by the user U. For example, the user U plays the baseball game by operating the operation device 25.

[0024] The storage device 22 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 21 and various data used by the control device 21. For example, a known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is used as the storage device 22. Note that a portable recording medium that is detachable from the game device 20, or a recording medium to which the control device 21 can write or read data via the communication network 3 (for example, cloud storage) may also be used as the storage device 22.

[0025] The storage device 22 of the first embodiment stores identification information Uid and setting data S1. The identification information Uid is a code string for identifying a user U. The setting data S1 is data representing various conditions (hereinafter referred to as "control conditions") Y1 related to the control of the performance material X1. The control conditions Y1 are set in response to instructions from the user U to the operation device 25. In other words, the control conditions Y1 are set individually for each user U.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the control condition Y1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control condition Y1 specified by the setting data S1 includes a basic condition B1 and multiple rendering conditions C1 (C1-a, C1-b, C1-c, ...). That is, the setting data S1 is composed of data specifying the basic condition B1 and data specifying each rendering condition C1. The basic condition B1 is a condition regarding whether or not to control the rendering material X1, and is set to either an enabled state (ON) or an disabled state (OFF). When the basic condition B1 is enabled, the rendering material X1 is displayed in the distribution content V, and when the basic condition B1 is disabled, the rendering material X1 is not displayed in the distribution content V. As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user U can freely select whether or not to display or update the rendering material X1.

[0027] Each of the multiple rendering conditions C1 is a condition for controlling (displaying or updating) rendering material X1 of distribution content V when basic condition B1 is in an enabled state. Specifically, a condition related to the progress of the baseball game is set as rendering condition C1. That is, rendering condition C1 is a condition whose success or failure changes over time depending on the situation of the baseball game. When a specific rendering condition C1 is met in the course of the baseball game, rendering material X1 of distribution content V is controlled (for example, displayed or updated). With the above configuration, it is possible to include appropriate rendering material X1 in distribution content V according to the progress of the baseball game.

[0028] The multiple rendering conditions C1 include, for example, a condition C1-a related to a time point in a baseball game. That is, when a specific time point in a baseball game arrives, it is determined that the rendering condition C1-a is fulfilled. For example, the time point when a specific inning in a baseball game begins or the time point when a specific situation occurs in a baseball game is exemplified as the rendering condition C1-a. An example of a specific inning designated as the rendering condition C1-a is the last inning (ninth inning) of a game. Furthermore, an example of a specific situation designated as the rendering condition C1-a is an important situation that directly affects the outcome of a baseball game, such as a situation in which the team of user U can overtake the opposing team, a situation in which the opposing team can overtake the team of user U, a situation in which the bases are loaded, or the like. With the above configuration, it is possible to generate distribution content V in which the arrival of a specific time point in a baseball game is effectively rendered by the rendering material X1.

[0029] The multiple rendering conditions C1 include, for example, a condition C1-b related to an event occurring in a baseball game. That is, when a specific event occurs in the baseball game, it is determined that the rendering condition C1-b is fulfilled. The events specified in the rendering condition C1-b include, for example, an event related to a specific player character in the baseball game and an event related to a specific action by any player character. Examples of events related to a specific player character include an event in which a specific player character from the user U's team appears, an event in which a specific player character from the opposing team appears, or an event in which any player character from the user U's team appears. Examples of events related to a specific action include an action by a batter hitting a home run, an action by a pitcher striking out, or an action by a runner stealing a base. Note that, although the above description has exemplified the event-related rendering condition C1-b and the action-related rendering condition C1-b individually, a combination of both may also be set as the rendering condition C1-b. For example, the occurrence of an event in which a specific player character hits a home run is set as the rendering condition C1-b. According to the above configuration, it is possible to generate distribution content V in which the occurrence of a specific event in a baseball game is effectively represented by the representation material X1.

[0030] The multiple rendering conditions C1 include, for example, a condition C1-c relating to a virtual location where a baseball game is held. That is, if a baseball game is held in a specific stadium, it is determined that the rendering condition C1-c is met. With the above configuration, effective rendering specific to a specific location in a baseball game is realized by the rendering material X1.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an editing system 30. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the editing system 30 is a computer system including a control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a playback device 34, an operation device 35, and a recording device 36. The editing system 30 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as a plurality of devices configured separately from each other.

[0032] The control device 31 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the editing system 30. Specifically, the control device 31 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC.

[0033] The storage device 32 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 31 and various data used by the control device 31. Specifically, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) for generating and distributing the distribution content V is stored in the storage device 32. For example, a well-known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, may be used as the storage device 32. Note that the storage device 32 may also be a portable recording medium that is detachable from the editing system 30, or a recording medium (e.g., cloud storage) that the control device 31 can write to or read from via the communication network 3, for example.

[0034] The communication device 33 communicates with the control system 40 via the communication network 3. The communication device 33 also communicates with the game device 20. The communication between the game device 20 (communication device 23) and the editing system 30 (communication device 33) may be either wired communication or wireless communication. Furthermore, it does not matter whether the communication between the game device 20 and the editing system 30 uses the communication network 3. For example, short-range wireless communication may be performed between the game device 20 and the editing system 30. In the first embodiment, material data Qa of play material Xa representing the progress of a baseball game is transmitted from the game device 20 to the editing system 30.

[0035] Under the control of the control device 31, the playback device 34 plays back images and sounds that the user U views in order to edit the distribution content V. Specifically, the playback device 34 includes a display device 341 and a sound emitting device 342. The display device 341 displays an image (editing screen) for editing the distribution content V. The sound emitting device 342 emits sounds for editing the distribution content V.

[0036] The operation device 35 is an input device that accepts operations by the user U. For example, the operation device 35 accepts from the user U an instruction to arrange each material X (Xa, Xb, X1) in the distribution content V or an instruction to position each material X. Note that in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the player of the baseball game and the distributor of the distribution content V are the same user U, but the player of the baseball game and the distributor of the distribution content V (the operator of the editing system 30) may be different people. In other words, there may be multiple users U.

[0037] The recording device 36 is a video device that records the user U playing a baseball game. For example, the recording device 36 includes an imaging device that records an image (video) of the user U and a sound collection device that records the voice of the user U. The recording device 36 generates material data Qb of the recording material Xb that includes the image and voice of the user U.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system 40. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the control system 40 is a computer system including a control device 41, a storage device 42, and a communication device 43. The control system 40 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as a plurality of devices configured separately from each other.

[0039] The control device 41 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the control system 40. Specifically, the control device 41 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The communication device 43 communicates with each of the game device 20 and the editing system 30 via the communication network 3.

[0040] The storage device 42 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 41 and various data used by the control device 41. For example, a known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is used as the storage device 42. Note that a portable recording medium that is detachable from the control system 40, or a recording medium to which the control device 41 can write or read data via the communication network 3 (for example, cloud storage) may also be used as the storage device 42.

[0041] 6, the storage device 42 stores user data G, reference data R1, material data Q1, and multiple pieces of basic data q1. The user data G, reference data R1, and material data Q1 are stored individually for each user U. Specifically, the user data G, reference data R1, and material data Q1 are stored in the storage device 42 in association with the identification information Uid of each user U.

[0042] The user data G is data related to the user U. Specifically, the user data G is information related to past plays of baseball games by the user U. Specifically, the user data G is game data including a plurality of pieces of information such as the play history (e.g., game results) of the baseball games by the user U, and the ability values ​​of each player character that makes up the baseball team of the user U.

[0043] The material data Q1 is data representing the rendering material X1 that the user U uses in his / her distribution content V. Specifically, image data representing an image of the rendering material X1 is exemplified as the material data Q1.

[0044] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the effect material X1 represented by the material data Q1. The effect material X1 is a moving image including a transparent image X11 and a display element X12. The transparent image X11 is a transparent image that allows the image behind it to be seen through. For example, a transparent GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) image of a predetermined size that is entirely transparent is used as the transparent image X11. On the other hand, the display element X12 is an image for effect that is visible to the viewer A. In FIG. 7, the decorative character "Clack!!" representing the sound of a ball hitting the ground is exemplified as the display element X12.

[0045] As described above, the material data Q1 is updated when the rendering condition C1 is satisfied. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the rendering condition C1 is not satisfied, the rendering material X1 is composed of the transparent image X11. That is, viewer A cannot see the rendering material X1. On the other hand, when the rendering condition C1 is satisfied, the rendering material X1 is generated by combining the display element X12 with the transparent image X11. That is, viewer A can see the rendering material X1 (display element X12). When a predetermined deletion condition is satisfied after the rendering condition C1 is satisfied, the display element X12 is deleted. That is, the rendering material X1 transitions to a transparent state composed of the transparent image X11. The deletion condition is, for example, the passage of a predetermined time since the display element X12 was displayed. As described above, in the first embodiment, a series of rendering materials X1 is generated by combining the display element X12 with the transparent image X11, so that the editing system 30 does not need to determine whether to acquire the rendering material X1 (display element X12).

[0046] 6 is data representing an image used to generate material data Q1 for each user U. For example, a plurality of pieces of basic data q1 including basic data q1 representing a transparent image X11 and basic data q1 representing a display element X12 are stored in the storage device 42.

[0047] The reference data R1 includes unit data Z1 for each rendering material X1 used in the distribution content V of the user U. Each unit data Z1 specifies a combination of a rendering condition C1 and a control mode P1. The control mode P1 corresponding to each rendering condition C1 indicates a method for updating the rendering material X1 when the rendering condition C1 is met (a pattern for updating the rendering material X1). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the control mode P1 specifies a combination of a transparent image X11 that is displayed when the rendering condition C1 is not met and a display element X12 that is displayed when the rendering condition C1 is met. As can be understood from the above explanation, the reference data R1 is data that specifies a combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1. The rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 are set, for example, in response to an instruction from the user U to the game device 20.

[0048] As can be understood from the above description, in the first embodiment, when the rendering condition C1 registered in the reference data R1 is established, the material data Q1 is updated by the control mode P1 in the reference data R1. Specifically, the establishment of the rendering condition C1 triggers the display element X12 to be displayed.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 6, location information L1 is stored in association with each unit data Z1 of reference data R1. That is, location information L1 is stored for each performance material X1 used in distribution content V for user U. Location information L1 is data indicating the location of material data Q1 in storage device 42. Specifically, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of material data Q1 is used as location information L1. Control system 40 provides location information L1 to user U. Editing system 30 receives material data Q1 stored in a location specified by location information L1 from control system 40. As can be understood from the above explanation, location information L1 can also be said to be data (data for identifying material data Q1) that allows editing system 30 to acquire material data Q1 from control system 40.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of information system 1. As illustrated in Fig. 8, control device 21 of game device 20 executes a program stored in storage device 22 to realize multiple functions (game control unit 211, playback control unit 212, condition setting unit 213, condition determination unit 214, and information notification unit 215).

[0051] The game control unit 211 progresses the baseball game in response to operations by the user U on the operation device 25. The playback control unit 212 causes the playback device 24 to play images and sounds of the baseball game. Specifically, the playback control unit 212 causes the display device 241 to display game images representing the progress of the baseball game and causes the sound emission device 242 to emit various sounds, such as sound effects. The playback control unit 212 also generates material data Qa of play material Xa representing the progress of the baseball game. The material data Qa is transmitted from the communication device 23 to the editing system 30. Note that the playback control unit 212 does not necessarily need to generate the material data Qa of the play material Xa dedicated to the distribution content V. For example, the playback control unit 212 may simply output data representing game images and sounds of the baseball game (e.g., data supplied to the playback device 24) to the outside. The editing system 30 acquires the data output from the game device 20 as material data Qa.

[0052] The condition setting unit 213 sets the control condition Y1 (basic condition B1 and rendering condition C1) in response to an instruction from the user U via the operation device 25. For example, the condition setting unit 213 sets the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 in response to an instruction from the user U, and transmits unit data Z1 that specifies the combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 to the control system 40.

[0053] The condition determination unit 214 determines whether the control condition Y1 (effect condition C1) set by the condition setting unit 213 is met. The determination by the condition determination unit 214 is performed in parallel with the progress of the baseball game. That is, the condition determination unit 214 determines at any time whether the control condition Y1 is met in the course of the progress of the baseball game. The condition determination unit 214 of the first embodiment generates situation data D1 representing the result of determining whether the control condition Y1 is met. Specifically, the situation data D1 specifies the effect condition C1 that has been met in the baseball game. The situation data D1 is transmitted from the communication device 23 to the control system 40.

[0054] The information notification unit 215 notifies the user U of the location information L1 provided by the control system 40. For example, the information notification unit 215 displays the location information L1 on the display device 241. The user U becomes aware of the location information L1 when notified by the information notification unit 215. The user U inputs the location information L1 to the editing system 30 by operating the operation device 35 of the editing system 30. In other words, the editing system 30 acquires the location information L1 that indicates the location where the material data Q1 is stored in the control system 40.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control device 21 of the editing system 30 executes a program (OBS) stored in the storage device 22 to realize a plurality of functions (a material acquisition unit 311, an editing processing unit 312).

[0056] The material acquisition unit 311 acquires material data Q (Qa, Qb, Q1). The acquisition of material data Q by the material acquisition unit 311 is performed continuously in parallel with the progress of the baseball game. Specifically, the material acquisition unit 311 acquires material data Qa of play material Xa from the game device 20, and acquires material data Qb of recorded material Xb from the recording device 36. The material acquisition unit 311 also acquires material data Q1 of performance material X1 from the control system 40. Specifically, the material acquisition unit 311 transmits a material request M1 including location information L1 to the control system 40, thereby acquiring from the control system 40 the material data Q1 stored in a location specified by the location information L1.

[0057] The editing processing unit 312 generates distribution content V using material X (Xa, Xb, X1) represented by material data Q (Qa, Qb, Q1) acquired by the material acquisition unit 311. That is, the editing processing unit 312 generates distribution content V including play material Xa, recorded material Xb, and performance material X1, as described above with reference to Fig. 2. The distribution content V includes audio that is a mixture of the audio of the play material Xa and the audio of the recorded material Xb.

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 8, the control device 41 of the control system 40 realizes multiple functions (condition setting unit 411, information providing unit 412, material control unit 413, material transmitting unit 414) by executing a program stored in the memory device 42.

[0059] The condition setting unit 411 generates reference data R1 that defines the relationship between the control condition Y1 (the rendering condition C1) and the control mode P1. Specifically, the condition setting unit 411 adds unit data Z1 received from the game device 20 for each rendering material X1 to the reference data R1. The information providing unit 412 provides the user U with location information L1 corresponding to each rendering material X1.

[0060] The material control unit 413 controls the rendering material X1 represented by the material data Q1. Specifically, the material control unit 413 updates the rendering material X1 in accordance with the situation data D1 transmitted from the game device 20. As described above, the situation data D1 is data indicating whether the rendering condition C1 is met. Therefore, the material control unit 413 updates the rendering material X1 used in the distribution content V of the user U under the control condition Y1 (rendering condition C1) set by the user U.

[0061] In response to a material request M1 using the location information L1 from the editing system 30, the material sending unit 414 sends the material data Q1 indicated by the location information L1 to the requesting editing system 30. The control of the performance material X1 by the material control unit 413 and the sending of the material data Q1 by the material sending unit 414 are executed in parallel with the progress of the baseball game.

[0062] A description will now be given of the operation of the information system 1. Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure for initial setting that is executed immediately after the baseball game is started.

[0063] The control device 21 of the game device 20 transmits an authentication request from the communication device 23 to the control system 40 (Sa11). The authentication request includes the identification information Uid of the user U. The control device 41 of the control system 40 receives the authentication request via the communication device 43 (Sb11) and executes authentication processing using the identification information Uid (Sb12). The authentication processing is processing to confirm the legitimacy of the user U (that is, that the user is a pre-registered authorized user). For example, auxiliary information such as the user U's biometric information or PIN number may also be used in the authentication processing. The control device 41 transmits the authentication result to the requesting game device 20 (Sb13). If the authentication processing is successful, the control system 40 transmits the authentication result including the user data G of the user U. The control device 41 also stores the identification information Uid of the user U who has been successfully authenticated in the storage device 42. In other words, the user U who will generate the distribution content V is identified.

[0064] The control device 21 of the game device 20 receives the authentication result via the communication device 23 (Sa12). If the authentication process is successful, the control device 21 applies the user data G included in the authentication result to the baseball game (Sa13). That is, the situation of the past play by the user U is reproduced. On the other hand, if the authentication process is unsuccessful, the user U is notified of the authentication failure.

[0065] 10 and 11 are flowcharts illustrating specific steps of a process (hereinafter referred to as "first preparation process") for preparing to generate distribution content V. The first preparation process is executed before the user U starts a baseball game, and includes setting a control condition Y1 and issuing location information L1.

[0066] The user U instructs the game device 20 whether or not to use the rendering material X1 in his / her distribution content V (basic condition B1) by operating the operation device 25. That is, the user U selects either a valid state or an invalid state as the basic condition B1. When the first preparation process is started, the control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) of the game device 20 accepts an instruction from the user U regarding the basic condition B1 (Sa21). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) sets the basic condition B1 represented by the setting data S1 to the state (valid state / invalid state) instructed by the user U (Sa22). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) determines whether the basic condition B1 has been set to the valid state (Sa23). If the basic condition B1 has been set to the invalid state (Sa23: NO), the control device 21 ends the first preparation process without executing the following process.

[0067] The user U, who has designated the basic condition B1 as valid, operates the operation device 25 to designate a combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 for each rendering material X1 that the user U wishes to use in his or her distribution content V. For example, the user U selects one of a plurality of options prepared in advance as the rendering condition C1 and one of a plurality of options prepared in advance as the control mode P1. If the basic condition B1 is set to valid (Sa23: YES), the control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) accepts an instruction from the user U regarding the combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 (Sa24). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) sets the rendering condition C1 represented by the setting data S1 to the condition designated by the user U (Sa25). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) also transmits unit data Z1, which designates the combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 designated by the user U, from the communication device 23 to the control system 40 (Sa26). The identification information Uid of the user U is added to the unit data Z1.

[0068] 11, the control device 41 (condition setting unit 411) of the control system 40 receives the unit data Z1 transmitted from the game device 20 via the communication device 43 (Sb21). The control device 41 (condition setting unit 411) searches the storage device 42 for reference data R1 corresponding to the identification information Uid added to the unit data Z1, and adds the unit data Z1 to the reference data R1 (Sb22). In other words, the relationship between the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 specified by the user U is registered in the reference data R1 for one rendering material X1.

[0069] The control device 41 (information provider 412) generates location information L1 for the material data Q1 of the currently registered performance material X1 (Sb23). That is, location information L1 indicating the location where the material data Q1 is saved is generated. The control device 41 (information provider 412) stores the location information L1 in association with unit data Z1 of the reference data R1 that corresponds to the performance material X1 (Sb24). The control device 41 (information provider 412) then transmits the location information L1 from the communication device 43 to the game device 20 (Sb25). That is, location information L1 indicating the location of the material data Q1 of the performance material X1 is provided to the user U who specified the performance material X1.

[0070] 10, the control device 21 (information notification unit 215) of the game device 20 receives the location information L1 transmitted from the control system 40 via the communication device 23 (Sa27). The control device 21 (information notification unit 215) notifies the user U of the location information L1 (Sa28). Specifically, the location information L1 is displayed on the display device 241.

[0071] The control device 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sa29). For example, if the user U issues a termination instruction via the operation device 25, it is determined that the termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sa29: NO), the control device 21 proceeds to step Sa24. That is, each time the user U issues an instruction for a combination of the rendering condition C1 and the control mode P1 for one piece of rendering material X1, the setting data S1 is updated (Sa24, Sa25), the reference data R1 is updated (Sa26, Sb21, Sb22), and the location information L1 is provided (Sb23-Sb25, Sa27, Sa28).

[0072] On the other hand, if the termination condition is met (Sa29: YES), the control device 21 terminates the first preparation process. As can be understood from the above explanation, the correspondence between the rendering conditions C1 instructed by the user U and the rendering materials X1 is registered, and the location information L1 corresponding to each rendering material X1 is notified to the user U.

[0073] 12 is a flowchart illustrating the specific steps of a process (hereinafter referred to as "second preparation process") for preparing to generate distribution content V. The second preparation process is executed after the first preparation process is executed and before the user U starts playing the baseball game. Therefore, at the stage when the second preparation process starts, the user U knows the location information L1 for each of the performance materials X1.

[0074] The user U operates the operation device 35 to instruct the placement of the production material X1 in the distribution content V. The control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) of the editing system 30 receives the instruction for the placement of the production material X1 from the user U (Sc31). The instruction from the user U includes a specification of the position of the production material X1 in the distribution content V.

[0075] Furthermore, the user U inputs location information L1 of the performance material X1 to the editing system 30 by operating the operation device 35. The control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) accepts the input of the location information L1 by the user U (Sc32). The location information L1 is stored in the storage device 32. The acceptance of instructions regarding the performance material X1 (Sc31) and the acceptance of location information L1 corresponding to the performance material X1 (Sc32) are performed for each performance material X1 placed in the distribution content V.

[0076] 13 to 15 are flowcharts illustrating specific steps of a process for generating distribution content V (hereinafter referred to as "editing process"). The editing process is executed after first and second preparation processes are executed. After the first and second preparation processes are executed, user U operates operation device 35 to instruct editing system 30 to generate distribution content V, and operates operation device 25 to instruct game device 20 to start a baseball game.

[0077] When a user U instructs the generation of distribution content V, the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) of the editing system 30 transmits a material request M1 from the communication device 33 to the control system 40 (Sc41). For each performance material X1 of the distribution content V, a material request M1 is transmitted to the control system 40. The material request M1 for each performance material X1 includes the user U's identification information Uid and the location information L1 input by the user U for that performance material X1 in the second preparation process.

[0078] 14, the control device 41 (material sending unit 414) of the control system 40 receives the material request M1 sent from the editing system 30 via the communication device 43 (Sb41). The control device 41 (material sending unit 414) saves the material data Q1 representing the rendering material X1 in a location in the storage device 42 specified by the location information L1 in the material request M1 (Sb42). As described above with reference to FIG. 7, when the rendering condition C1 is not satisfied, the material data Q1 representing the transparent image X11 is stored in the storage device 42.

[0079] On the other hand, when the user U instructs the start of the baseball game, the control device 21 (game control unit 211 and playback control unit 212) of the game device 20 progresses the baseball game in accordance with the instruction from the user U to the operation device 25 (Sa41), as illustrated in Fig. 15. The control device 21 (playback control unit 212) transmits material data Qa of play material Xa according to the situation of the baseball game from the communication device 23 to the editing system 30 (Sa42).

[0080] The condition determination unit 214 determines whether any of the effect conditions C1 specified by the setting data S1 has been met as a result of the progress of the baseball game (Sa43). If the effect condition C1 has not been met (Sa43: NO), the control device 21 shifts the process to step Sa41. That is, the progress of the baseball game continues. On the other hand, if the effect condition C1 has been met (Sa43: YES), the control device 21 (condition determination unit 214) transmits situation data D1 specifying the effect condition C1 from the communication device 23 to the control system 40 (Sa44).

[0081] The control device 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sa45). For example, if the user U issues an instruction to end the game by operating the operation device 25, it is determined that the termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sa45: NO), the control device 21 proceeds to step Sa42. On the other hand, if the termination condition has been met (Sa44: YES), the control device 21 ends the baseball game. As illustrated above, in parallel with the progress of the baseball game, situation data D1 specifying the effect condition C1 that has been met during the progress of the baseball game is sequentially transmitted to the control system 40. The situation data D1 includes the identification information Uid of the user U.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the control device 41 (material control unit 413) of the control system 40 determines whether the communication device 43 has received situation data D1 from the game device 20 (Sb43). When the communication device 43 receives situation data D1 (Sb43: YES), the control device 41 (material control unit 413) updates the material data Q1 of the effect material X1 (Sb44). Specifically, the control device 41 (material control unit 413) identifies the unit data Z1 containing the effect condition C1 specified by the situation data D1 from the reference data R1 corresponding to the identification information Uid in the situation data D1. The control device 41 (material control unit 413) then updates the material data Q1 stored in the location specified by the location information L1 corresponding to the unit data Z1 using the control mode P1 in the unit data Z1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the material data Q1 is updated so that the effect material X1 switches from the transparent image X11 to the display element X12. On the other hand, if the communication device 43 does not receive the situation data D1 (Sb43: NO), the updating of the material data Q1 (Sb44) is not executed.

[0083] As illustrated above, the material control unit 413 of the first embodiment receives situation data D1 representing the result of determining whether or not a rendering condition C1 has been met, and updates the material data Q1 in accordance with the result of the determination represented by the situation data D1. That is, when a rendering condition C1 in a baseball game is met, the material data Q1 of the rendering material X1 corresponding to the rendering condition C1 is updated.

[0084] The control device 41 (material sending unit 414) sends the material data Q1 from the communication device 43 to the editing system 30 (Sb45). As can be understood from the above explanation, when the rendering condition C1 is not satisfied, the material data Q1 representing the transparent image X11 is sent to the editing system 30, and when the rendering condition C1 is satisfied, the material data Q1 representing the display element X12 is sent to the editing system 30.

[0085] The control device 41 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sb46). For example, when the end of the baseball game is notified from the game device 20, the termination condition is determined to have been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sb46: NO), the control device 41 proceeds to step Sb43. That is, the updating of the material data Q1 (Sb43-Sb44) triggered by the fulfillment of the rendering condition C1 and the transmission of the material data Q1 (Sb45) are repeated. On the other hand, if the termination condition has been met (Sb46: YES), the control device 41 ends the processing.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 13, after transmitting a material request M1 (Sc41), the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) of the editing system 30 receives, via the communication device 33, material data Qa of the play material Xa transmitted (Sa42) from the game device 20 (Sc42). The control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) also acquires material data Qb of the recording material Xb generated by the recording device 36 (Sc43). Furthermore, the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) receives, via the communication device 33, material data Q1 of the performance material X1 transmitted (Sb45) from the control system 40 (Sc44). Note that the order of receiving each piece of material data Q (Qa, Qb, Q1) is not limited to the above example.

[0087] The control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) generates distribution content V including the materials X (Xa, Xb, X1) acquired by the above processing (Sc45). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, distribution content V including play material Xa, recorded material Xb, and performance material X1 is generated. The control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) transmits distribution content V from the communication device 33 to the distribution system 50 (Sc46). That is, distribution content V is uploaded from the editing system 30 to the distribution system 50. Distribution content V is transmitted from the distribution system 50 to each terminal device 10.

[0088] The control device 31 determines whether a predetermined termination condition is met (Sc47). For example, if the user U issues a termination command via the operation device 35, the termination condition is determined to be met. If the termination condition is not met (Sc47: NO), the control device 31 proceeds to step Sc42. That is, the acquisition of each material X (Xa, Xb, X1) (Sc42-Sc44) and the generation of distribution content V using each material X (Sc45) and transmission (Sc46) are repeated. On the other hand, if the termination condition is met (Sc47: YES), the control device 31 terminates the processing. Note that the above description illustrates an example in which the control device 31 first transmits a material request M1 (Sc41) and then repeatedly receives material data Q1 (Sc44). However, it is also possible for the control device 31 to repeatedly transmit the material request M1 (Sc41) and receive material data Q1 (Sc44) until the termination condition is met. That is, if the termination condition is not met (Sc47: NO), the control device 31 may shift the processing to step Sc41.

[0089] As described above, in the first embodiment, the material data Q1 transmitted from the control system 40 to the editing system 30 is updated under the control conditions Y1 (particularly the rendering conditions C1) in accordance with instructions from the user U. Therefore, a variety of delivery content V including rendering materials X1 that reflect the intentions or preferences of the user U can be generated. Furthermore, by a simple process of setting location information L for the delivery content V, the rendering materials X1 used in the delivery content V can be updated in parallel with the progress of the baseball game played by the user U. Specifically, by executing the first preparation process and the second preparation process before the start of the baseball game, the rendering materials X1 of the delivery content V are updated at appropriate times during the progress of the baseball game, even without instructions from the user U regarding the delivery content V. In other words, there is an advantage that the user U can concentrate on playing the baseball game without paying attention to the generation of the delivery content V.

[0090] [Second embodiment] 16 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information system 1 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a viewer A can cheer on a user U at any time during the period in which distribution content V is distributed to the terminal device 10. Cheering on a user U is a supportive act that includes providing a value medium to the user U (so-called tipping). The value medium is, for example, a currency (electronic money) or a value such as points, which can be used for various services such as electronic commerce.

[0091] By operating the operation device 12, viewer A can specify the quantity W of a value medium to be provided to user U (hereinafter referred to as the "amount provided") and instruct the terminal device 10 to support user U. A support instruction T is transmitted in response to the operation of the operation device 12 from viewer A. The support instruction T is data indicating support for user U by viewer A, and includes the amount W to be provided specified by viewer A.

[0092] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating distribution content V in the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 17, distribution content V in the second embodiment includes performance material X2 in addition to the same elements (Xa, Xb, X1) as in the first embodiment. Performance material X2 is an image used for performance purposes that represents viewer A cheering on user U. Performance material X2 is displayed, for example, in a size that spans both play material Xa and recording material Xb. One or more performance materials X2 are placed in distribution content V.

[0093] Like the production material X1 in the first embodiment, the production material X2 is controlled in accordance with the progress of the baseball game. Furthermore, the production material X2 in the second embodiment is controlled in accordance with the cheering instructions T from each viewer A. That is, the production material X2 is linked to the progress of the baseball game and the cheering instructions T from the viewer A. Specifically, the production material X2 changes in accordance with the success or failure of a condition C2 related to the progress of the baseball game (hereinafter referred to as the "production condition") and the presence or absence of a cheering instruction T. For example, when the production condition C2 is not met, the production material X2 representing currency such as a coin is displayed in response to the cheering instruction T. On the other hand, when the production condition C2 is met, the production material X2 representing an item for production such as a cracker is displayed in response to the cheering instruction T.

[0094] 16, the information system 1 of the second embodiment includes a control system 60 in addition to the same elements as those of the first embodiment (a recording system 2, a control system 40, and a distribution system 50). The control system 60 receives cheering instructions T transmitted from the terminal device 10. The control system 60 controls the performance material X2 in the distribution content V in accordance with the progress of the baseball game and the cheering instructions T from the terminal device 10.

[0095] The game device 20 of the second embodiment stores setting data S2 in addition to the setting data S1 exemplified in the first embodiment. The setting data S2 is data representing a control condition Y2 related to the control of the effect material X2. Like the control condition Y1, the control condition Y2 is set in response to an instruction from the user U via the operation device 25. In other words, the control condition Y2 is set individually for each user U.

[0096] 18 is an explanatory diagram of control condition Y2. As illustrated in FIG. 18, control condition Y2 in the second embodiment includes a basic condition B2 and a plurality of rendering conditions C2 (C2-a, C2-b, C2-c, ...), similar to control condition Y1 in the first embodiment. Setting data S2 specifying basic condition B2 and the plurality of rendering conditions C2 is stored in storage device 22 of game device 20. That is, setting data S2 is made up of data specifying basic condition B2 and data specifying each rendering condition C2.

[0097] Basic condition B2 is a condition regarding whether or not to control production material X2, and is set to either an enabled state (ON) or an disabled state (OFF). When basic condition B2 is enabled, production material X2 is displayed in distribution content V, and when basic condition B2 is disabled, production material X2 is not displayed in distribution content V. As described above, according to the second embodiment, user U can freely select whether or not to display or update production material X2. As described above, according to the first embodiment, user U can freely select whether or not to display or update production material X2.

[0098] Each of the multiple rendering conditions C2 is a condition for controlling (displaying or updating) rendering material X2 of distribution content V when basic condition B2 is in an enabled state. Specifically, conditions related to the progress of the baseball game are set as rendering conditions C2. That is, rendering conditions C2 are conditions whose success or failure changes over time depending on the situation of the baseball game. When a specific rendering condition C2 is met in the course of the baseball game, rendering material X2 of distribution content V is controlled (for example, displayed or updated). With the above configuration, it is possible to include appropriate rendering material X2 in distribution content V according to the progress of the baseball game.

[0099] The multiple rendering conditions C2 include, for example, a condition C2-a related to a time point in a baseball game. That is, when a specific time point in a baseball game arrives, it is determined that the rendering condition C2-a is fulfilled. For example, the time point when a specific inning in a baseball game begins or the time point when a specific situation occurs in a baseball game is exemplified as the rendering condition C2-a. An example of a specific inning designated as the rendering condition C2-a is the last inning (ninth inning) of a game. Furthermore, an example of a specific situation designated as the rendering condition C2-a is an important situation that directly affects the outcome of a baseball game, such as a situation in which the team of user U can overtake the opposing team, a situation in which the opposing team can overtake the team of user U, a situation in which the bases are loaded, or the like. With the above configuration, it is possible to generate distribution content V in which the arrival of a specific time point in a baseball game is effectively rendered by the rendering material X2.

[0100] The multiple rendering conditions C2 include, for example, a condition C2-b related to an event occurring in the baseball game. That is, when a specific event occurs in the baseball game, it is determined that the rendering condition C2-b is fulfilled. The events specified in the rendering condition C2-b include, for example, an event related to a specific player character in the baseball game and an event related to a specific action by any player character. Examples of events related to a specific player character include an event in which a specific player character from the user U's team appears, an event in which a specific player character from the opposing team appears, or an event in which any player character from the user U's team appears. Examples of events related to a specific action include an action by a batter hitting a home run, an action by a pitcher striking out, or an action by a runner stealing a base. Note that, although the above description has exemplified the event-related rendering condition C2-b and the action-related rendering condition C2-b individually, a combination of both may also be set as the rendering condition C2-b. For example, the occurrence of an event in which a specific player character hits a home run is set as the rendering condition C2-b. According to the above configuration, it is possible to generate distribution content V in which the occurrence of a specific event in a baseball game is effectively represented by the representation material X2.

[0101] The multiple rendering conditions C2 include, for example, a condition C2-c relating to a virtual location where a baseball game is held. That is, if a baseball game is held in a specific stadium, it is determined that the rendering condition C2-c is met. With the above configuration, effective rendering specific to a specific location in a baseball game is realized by the rendering material X2.

[0102] Fig. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system 60. As illustrated in Fig. 19, the control system 60 is a computer system including a control device 61, a storage device 62, and a communication device 63. The control system 60 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as a plurality of devices configured separately from each other.

[0103] The control device 61 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the control system 60. Specifically, the control device 61 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The communication device 63 communicates with each of the game device 20 and the editing system 30 via the communication network 3.

[0104] The storage device 62 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 61 and various data used by the control device 61. For example, a known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is used as the storage device 62. Note that a portable recording medium that is detachable from the control system 60, or a recording medium to which the control device 61 can write or read via, for example, the communication network 3 (e.g., cloud storage) may also be used as the storage device 62.

[0105] 19, the storage device 62 stores reference data R2, material data Q2, and multiple pieces of basic data q2. The reference data R2 and material data Q2 are stored individually for each user U. Specifically, the reference data R2 and material data Q2 are stored in the storage device 62 in association with the identification information Uid of each user U.

[0106] In the following description, for convenience, a configuration in which the control system 40 and the control system 60 use the same identification information Uid to identify the user U is illustrated. However, a configuration in which the identification information Uid used by the control system 40 to identify the user U and the identification information Uid' used by the control system 60 to identify the user U are different is also envisioned. For example, the identification information Uid' input by the user U when setting the control condition Y2 is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 60, and the identification information Uid' is stored in the storage device 62. In the above description, a configuration in which the user U inputs the identification information Uid' is illustrated. However, the user U may also input information that can identify the identification information Uid' into the game device 20, and the control device 61 of the control system 60 may identify and store the identification information Uid' from the information.

[0107] The material data Q2 is data representing the rendering material X2 that the user U uses in his / her distribution content V. Specifically, image data representing an image of the rendering material X2 is exemplified as the material data Q2.

[0108] 20 is an explanatory diagram of the effect material X2 represented by the material data Q2. The effect material X2 is a moving image including a transparent image X21, a display element X22, and a display element X23. The transparent image X21, like the above-mentioned transparent image X11, is a transparent image through which the image behind it can be seen. On the other hand, the display element X22 and the display element X23 are images for effect that can be seen by the viewer A.

[0109] As described above, the material data Q2 is updated in response to a cheering instruction T from viewer A. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 20, if cheering instruction T has not occurred, the performance material X2 is composed of transparent image X21, regardless of whether performance condition C2 is met. In other words, viewer A cannot see performance material X1. On the other hand, if cheering instruction T has occurred, the performance material X2 is composed of display element X22 or display element X23. In other words, viewer A can see performance material X2.

[0110] Specifically, when a cheering instruction T occurs in a situation where the rendering condition C2 is not satisfied, the rendering material X2 is generated by superimposing the display element X22 on the transparent image X21. Also, when a cheering instruction T occurs in a situation where the rendering condition C2 is satisfied, the rendering material X2 is generated by superimposing the display element X23 on the transparent image X21. That is, the display element X22 or the display element X23 displayed in response to the cheering instruction T differs depending on whether the rendering condition C2 is satisfied.

[0111] When a predetermined erasure condition is met after the performance condition C2 is met, the display element X22 or the display element X23 is erased. That is, the performance material X2 transitions to a transparent state configured with the transparent image X21. The erasure condition is, for example, the passage of a predetermined time from the display of the display element X22 or the display element X23. As described above, in the second embodiment, the series of performance materials X2 are generated by combining the display element X22 with the transparent image X21, so that the editing system 30 does not need to determine whether to acquire the performance material X2 (display element X22).

[0112] 19 is data representing an image used to generate material data Q2 for each user U. For example, a plurality of basic data q2 including basic data q2 representing a transparent image X21, basic data q2 representing a display element X22, and basic data q2 representing a display element X23 are stored in the storage device 62.

[0113] The reference data R2 includes unit data Z2 for each of the rendering materials X2 used in the distribution content V of the user U. Each unit data Z2 specifies a combination of rendering conditions C2 and a control mode P2. The control mode P2 indicates a method for updating the rendering materials X2 (a pattern for updating the rendering materials X2). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the control mode P2 specifies a combination of the transparent image X21, the display element X22, and the display element X23. As can be understood from the above explanation, the reference data R2 is data that specifies a combination of the rendering conditions C2 and the control mode P2. The rendering conditions C2 and the control mode P2 are set, for example, in response to an instruction from the user U to the game device 20. When a cheering instruction T is issued to the user U, the material data Q2 is updated by the control mode P2 in the reference data R2.

[0114] As illustrated in FIG. 19, location information L2 is stored in association with each unit data Z2 of reference data R2. That is, location information L2 is stored for each performance material X2 used in distribution content V for user U. Location information L2 is data indicating the location of material data Q2 in storage device 62. Specifically, the URL of material data Q2 is used as location information L2. Control system 60 provides location information L2 to user U. Editing system 30 receives material data Q2 stored in a location specified by location information L2 from control system 60. As can be understood from the above explanation, location information L2 can also be said to be data (data for identifying material data Q2) that allows editing system 30 to acquire material data Q2 from control system 60.

[0115] Fig. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information system 1. The functional configuration of the control system 40 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is therefore omitted from Fig. 21. The game control unit 211 and the playback control unit 212 in the game device 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0116] The condition setting unit 213 of the second embodiment sets a control condition Y1 (basic condition B1 and rendering condition C1) and a control condition Y2 (basic condition B2 and rendering condition C1) in response to an instruction from the user U via the operation device 25. As in the first embodiment, the condition setting unit 213 sets unit data Z1 that specifies rendering condition C1 and control mode P1 in response to an instruction from the user U, and transmits the unit data Z1 to the control system 40. Furthermore, the condition setting unit 213 of the second embodiment sets rendering condition C2 and control mode P2 in response to an instruction from the user U, and transmits unit data Z2 that specifies the combination of rendering condition C2 and control mode P2 to the control system 60.

[0117] The condition determination unit 214 determines whether each of the control condition Y1 (effect condition C1) and the control condition Y2 (effect condition C2) is fulfilled. The determination by the condition determination unit 214 is performed in parallel with the progress of the baseball game. That is, the condition determination unit 214 determines whether the control condition Y1 and the control condition Y2 are fulfilled as the baseball game progresses. The condition determination unit 214 of the second embodiment generates situation data D1 representing the result of determining whether the control condition Y1 is fulfilled or not, and situation data D2 representing the result of determining whether the control condition Y2 is fulfilled or not. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the situation data D1 specifies the effect condition C1 that is fulfilled in the baseball game. The situation data D2 specifies the effect condition C2 that is fulfilled in the baseball game. The situation data D1 is transmitted from the communication device 23 to the control system 40, and the situation data D2 is transmitted from the communication device 23 to the control system 60.

[0118] As illustrated in Figure 21, the control device 61 of the control system 60 realizes multiple functions (condition setting unit 611, information providing unit 612, material control unit 613, material transmission unit 614, and payment processing unit 618) by executing programs stored in the memory device 62.

[0119] The payment processing unit 618 executes payment processing when it receives a support instruction T from the terminal device 10. The payment processing is an electronic payment process in which viewer A pays user U a currency corresponding to the provided amount W specified in the support instruction T. Note that the payment processing unit 618 may execute payment processing to transfer a quantity of points corresponding to the provided amount W from viewer A's account to user U by referring to an account in which the point balance for each viewer A is registered.

[0120] It is also possible that viewer A purchases points or items through payment processing before the distribution of distribution content V. In the above-described configuration, the payment processing unit 618 may consume points or items already purchased by viewer A when receiving a cheering instruction T from the terminal device 10. That is, the timing at which the payment processing is executed and the timing at which the cheering instruction T is generated may differ. Furthermore, payment processing is not required to receive the cheering instruction T from the terminal device 10. For example, points or items that viewer A has acquired in advance by some means may be consumed when the cheering instruction T is generated.

[0121] The condition setting unit 611 generates reference data R2 that defines the relationship between the control condition Y2 (the rendering condition C2) and the control mode P2. Specifically, the condition setting unit 611 adds unit data Z2 received from the game device 20 for each rendering material X2 to the reference data R2. The information providing unit 612 provides the user U with location information L2 corresponding to each rendering material X2.

[0122] The material control unit 613 controls the rendering material X2 represented by the material data Q2. Specifically, the material control unit 613 updates the rendering material X2 in accordance with the cheering instructions T transmitted from each terminal device 10 and the situation data D2 transmitted from the game device 20. As described above, the situation data D2 is data indicating whether the rendering condition C2 has been met. Therefore, in response to the cheering instructions T from each terminal device 10, the material control unit 613 updates the rendering material X1 used in the distribution content V of the user U under the control condition Y2 (rendering condition C2) set by the user U.

[0123] In response to a material request M2 using the location information L2 from the editing system 30, the material sending unit 614 sends the material data Q2 indicated by the location information L2 to the requesting editing system 30. The control of the performance material X2 by the material control unit 413 and the sending of the material data Q2 by the material sending unit 614 are executed in parallel with the progress of the baseball game.

[0124] The operation of the information system 1 will be described. The initial setting procedure executed immediately after the baseball game is started has been described with reference to FIG. 9. In the first preparation process after the initial setting, the processes of FIGS. 22 and 23 are executed in addition to the processes of FIGS. 10 and 11. The processes of FIGS. 22 and 23 include setting the control condition Y2 and issuing the location information L2.

[0125] The user U instructs the game device 20 whether or not to use the rendering material X2 in his / her distribution content V (basic condition B2) by operating the operation device 25. The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) of the game device 20 accepts the instruction from the user U regarding the basic condition B2 (Sa51). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) sets the basic condition B2 represented by the setting data S2 to the state (valid state / invalid state) instructed by the user U (Sa52). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) determines whether or not the basic condition B2 has been set to the valid state (Sa53). If the basic condition B2 has been set to the invalid state (Sa53: NO), the control device 21 ends the process without executing the following process.

[0126] The user U, who has designated the basic condition B2 as valid, operates the operation device 25 to designate a combination of the rendering condition C2 and the control mode P2 for each rendering material X2 that the user U wishes to use in his or her distribution content V. For example, the user U selects one of a plurality of options prepared in advance as the rendering condition C2 and one of a plurality of options prepared in advance as the control mode P2. The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) accepts an instruction from the user U regarding the combination of the rendering condition C2 and the control mode P2 (Sa54). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) sets the rendering condition C2 represented by the setting data S2 to the condition designated by the user U (Sa55). The control device 21 (condition setting unit 213) also transmits unit data Z2, which designates the combination of the rendering condition C2 and the control mode P2 designated by the user U, from the communication device 23 to the control system 60 (Sa56). The identification information Uid of the user U is added to the unit data Z2.

[0127] 23, the control device 61 (condition setting unit 611) of the control system 60 receives unit data Z2 transmitted from the game device 20 via the communication device 63 (Sd51). The control device 61 (condition setting unit 611) searches the storage device 62 for reference data R2 corresponding to the identification information Uid added to the unit data Z2, and adds the unit data Z2 to the reference data R2 (Sd52). In other words, the relationship between the rendering condition C2 and the control aspect P2 specified by the user U is registered in the reference data R2 for one piece of rendering material X2.

[0128] The control device 61 (information provider 612) generates location information L2 for the material data Q2 of the currently registered performance material X2 (Sd53). That is, location information L2 indicating the location where the material data Q2 is saved is generated. The control device 61 (information provider 612) stores the location information L2 in association with unit data Z2 of the reference data R2 that corresponds to the performance material X2 (Sd54). The control device 21 (information provider 612) then transmits the location information L2 from the communication device 63 to the game device 20 (Sd55). That is, location information L2 indicating the location of the material data Q2 of the performance material X2 is provided to the user U who specified the performance material X2.

[0129] 22, the control device 21 (information notification unit 215) of the game device 20 receives the location information L2 transmitted from the control system 60 via the communication device 23 (Sa57). The control device 21 (information notification unit 215) notifies the user U of the location information L2 (Sa58). Specifically, the location information L2 is displayed on the display device 241.

[0130] The control device 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sa59). For example, if the user U instructs termination by operating the operation device 25, it is determined that the termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sa59: NO), the control device 21 proceeds to step Sa54. That is, each time the user U instructs a combination of the rendering condition C2 and the control mode P2 for one piece of rendering material X2, the setting data S2 is updated (Sa54, Sa55), the reference data R2 is updated (Sa56, Sd51, Sd52), and the location information L2 is provided (Sd53-Sd55, Sa57, Sa58).

[0131] On the other hand, if the termination condition is met (Sa59: YES), the control device 21 terminates the process. As can be understood from the above explanation, the correspondence between the rendering condition C2 instructed by the user U and the rendering material X2 is registered, and the location information L2 corresponding to the rendering material X2 is notified to the user U.

[0132] Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating the specific steps of the second preparation process in the second embodiment. The process of Figure 12 is replaced by the process of Figure 24. At the stage when the second preparation process starts, the user U knows the location information L1 for each performance material X1 and the location information L2 for each performance material X2.

[0133] User U operates operation device 35 to instruct the placement of each of performance material X1 and performance material X2 in distribution content V. Control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) of editing system 30 receives instructions for the placement of performance material X1 or performance material X2 from user U (Sc61). The instructions from user U include a specification of the position of performance material X1 or performance material X2 in distribution content V.

[0134] Furthermore, user U inputs location information L1 of performance material X1 and location information L2 of performance material X2 into editing system 30 by operating operation device 35. Control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) accepts input of location information L1 and location information L2 by user U (Sc62). Location information L1 or location information L2 is stored in storage device 32. Receiving instructions regarding the placement of performance material X1 or performance material X2 (Sc61) and accepting location information L1 or location information L2 (Sc62) are performed for each performance material X (X1, X2) to be placed in distribution content V.

[0135] 25 to 27 are flowcharts of the editing process for generating distribution content V. The editing system 30 of the second embodiment executes the process of FIG. 25 instead of the process of FIG. 13 in the first embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating specific steps of the process executed by the control system 60 in the editing process. The control system 40 executes the process of FIG. 14 as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the game device 20 of the second embodiment executes the process of FIG. 27 instead of the process of FIG. 15 in the first embodiment.

[0136] When a command to generate distribution content V is issued by user U, the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) of the editing system 30 transmits a material request M1 from the communication device 33 to the control system 40 (Sc71). For each performance material X1 of the distribution content V, a material request M1 is transmitted to the control system 40. The material request M1 for each performance material X1 includes the user U's identification information Uid and the location information L1 input by the user U for that performance material X1 in the second preparation process.

[0137] In addition, the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) transmits a material request M2 from the communication device 33 to the control system 60 (Sc72). A material request M2 is transmitted to the control system 60 for each performance material X2 of the distribution content V. The material request M2 for each performance material X2 includes the identification information Uid of the user U and the location information L2 input by the user U for that performance material X2 in the second preparation process.

[0138] 26, the control device 61 (material sending unit 614) of the control system 60 receives the material request M2 sent from the editing system 30 via the communication device 63 (Sd71). The control device 61 (material sending unit 614) saves material data Q2 representing the performance material X2 in a location in the storage device 62 specified by the location information L2 in the material request M2 (Sd72). As described above with reference to FIG. 20, when the cheering instruction T has not been received, the material data Q2 representing the transparent image X21 is stored in the storage device 62.

[0139] 27, the control device 21 (game control unit 211 and playback control unit 212) of the game device 20 progresses the baseball game in response to instructions from the user U via the operation device 25 (Sa71). The control device 21 (playback control unit 212) transmits material data Qa of play material Xa according to the situation of the baseball game from the communication device 23 to the editing system 30 (Sa72).

[0140] The condition determination unit 214 determines whether any of the rendering conditions C1 specified by the setting data S1 has been met as a result of the progress of the baseball game (Sa73). If the rendering condition C1 has been met (Sa73: YES), the control device 21 (condition determination unit 214) transmits situation data D1 specifying the rendering condition C1 from the communication device 23 to the control system 40 (Sa74). On the other hand, if the rendering condition C1 has not been met (Sa73: NO), the transmission of situation data D1 (Sa74) is not executed.

[0141] Furthermore, the condition determination unit 214 determines whether or not any of the rendering conditions C2 specified by the setting data S2 has been met as a result of the progress of the baseball game (Sa75). If the rendering condition C2 has been met (Sa75: YES), the control device 21 (condition determination unit 214) transmits situation data D2 specifying the rendering condition C2 from the communication device 23 to the control system 60 (Sa76). On the other hand, if the rendering condition C2 has not been met (Sa75: NO), the transmission of situation data D2 (Sa76) is not executed.

[0142] The control device 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sa77). For example, if the user U issues an instruction to terminate the game by operating the operation device 25, it is determined that the termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sa77: NO), the control device 21 transitions the process to step Sa71. On the other hand, if the termination condition has been met (Sa77: YES), the control device 21 ends the baseball game. As illustrated above, in parallel with the progress of the baseball game, situation data D1 specifying the rendering condition C1 is sequentially transmitted to the control system 40, and situation data D2 specifying the rendering condition C2 is sequentially transmitted to the control system 60. Each of the situation data D1 and the situation data D2 includes the identification information Uid of the user U.

[0143] As illustrated in FIG. 26, the control device 61 (material control unit 613) of the control system 60 determines whether the communication device 63 has received a cheering instruction T from the terminal device 10 (Sd73). If the cheering instruction T has been received (Sd74), the control device 61 (material control unit 613) determines whether the communication device 63 has received situation data D2 from the game device 20 (Sd74). If the cheering instruction T has been received but the situation data D2 has not been received (Sd74: NO), the control device 61 (material control unit 613) updates the material data Q2 of the effect material X2 (Sd75). Specifically, the material data Q2 is updated so that the effect material X2 includes the display element X22. On the other hand, if both the cheering instruction T and situation data D2 have been received (Sd74: YES), the control device 61 (material control unit 613) updates the material data Q2 of the effect material X2 (Sd76). Specifically, the material data Q2 is updated so that the effect material X2 includes the display element X23. On the other hand, if the communication device 63 does not receive the cheering instruction T (Sd73: NO), the updating of the material data Q2 (Sd75, Sd76) is not executed.

[0144] The control device 61 (material sending unit 614) transmits the material data Q2 from the communication device 63 to the editing system 30 (Sd77). As can be understood from the above explanation, the material control unit 613 of the second embodiment updates the material data Q2 of the performance material X2 in parallel with the progress of the baseball game, in accordance with the cheering instructions T in response to the operation by the viewer A and the situation data D2 indicating the situation of the baseball game.

[0145] The control device 61 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met (Sd78). For example, when the end of the baseball game is notified from the game device 20, it is determined that the termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met (Sd78: NO), the control device 61 proceeds to step Sd73. That is, the update of the material data Q2 (Sd73-Sd76) triggered by the reception of the cheering instruction T and the transmission of the material data Q2 (Sd77) are repeated. On the other hand, if the termination condition has been met (Sd78: YES), the control device 61 ends the process.

[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 25, after transmitting material request M1 and material request M2 (Sc72), the control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) of the editing system 30 receives material data Qa of play material Xa transmitted from the game device 20 (Sa72) via the communication device 33 (Sc73). The control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) also acquires material data Qb of recording material Xb generated by the recording device 36 (Sc74). The control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) also receives material data Q1 of performance material X1 transmitted from the control system 40 (Sb45) via the communication device 33 (Sc75). The control device 31 (material acquisition unit 311) also receives material data Q2 of performance material X2 transmitted from the control system 60 (Sd77) via the communication device 33 (Sc76). The order of receiving each piece of material data Q (Qa, Qb, Q1, Q2) is not limited to the above example.

[0147] The control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) generates distribution content V including the materials X (Xa, Xb, X1, X2) acquired by the above processing (Sc77). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 17, distribution content V including play material Xa, recorded material Xb, performance material X1, and performance material X2 is generated. The control device 31 (editing processing unit 312) transmits distribution content V from the communication device 33 to the distribution system 50 (Sc78). That is, distribution content V is uploaded from the editing system 30 to the distribution system 50. Distribution content V is transmitted from the distribution system 50 to each terminal device 10.

[0148] The control device 31 determines whether a predetermined termination condition is met (Sc79). For example, if the user U issues a termination instruction via the operation device 35, it is determined that the termination condition is met. If the termination condition is not met (Sc79: NO), the control device 31 proceeds to step Sc73. That is, the control device 31 acquires each material X (Xa, Xb, X1, X2) (Sc73-Sc76), and generates (Sc77) and transmits (Sc78) distribution content V using each material X. On the other hand, if the termination condition is met (Sc79: YES), the control device 31 terminates the processing. Note that in the above description, as described in the first embodiment, it is also possible for the control device 31 to repeatedly transmit the material request M1 (Sc71) and receive the material data Q1 (Sc75) until the termination condition is met. Similarly, in the above description, an example has been given in which the control device 31 repeatedly transmits the material request M2 (Sc72) and then receives the material data Q2 (Sc76), but it is also possible for the control device 31 to repeatedly transmit the material request M2 (Sc72) and receive the material data Q2 (Sc76) until the termination condition is met. In other words, if the termination condition is not met (Sc79: NO), the control device 31 may transition the process to step Sc71.

[0149] As described above, in the second embodiment, the material data Q2 of the effect material X2 used in the distribution content V is updated in accordance with the cheering instructions T from viewer A of the distribution content V and the situation of the baseball game. Specifically, the manner in which the effect material X2 is displayed in the distribution content V in accordance with the cheering instructions T changes in accordance with the situation of the baseball game. Therefore, the effects related to the cheering instructions T from viewer A in the distribution content V are diversified, and the viewer A can be effectively encouraged to give the cheering instructions T.

[0150] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the material data Q2 transmitted from the control system 60 to the editing system 30 is updated under control conditions Y2 (particularly, rendering conditions C2) in accordance with instructions from the user U. Therefore, a variety of delivery content V including rendering materials X2 that reflect the intentions or preferences of the user U can be generated. Furthermore, by a simple process of setting location information L2 for the delivery content V, the rendering materials X2 used in the delivery content V can be updated in parallel with the progress of the baseball game played by the user U. Specifically, by executing the first preparation process and the second preparation process before the start of the baseball game, the rendering materials X2 of the delivery content V are updated at appropriate times during the progress of the baseball game, even without instructions from the user U regarding the delivery content V. In other words, there is an advantage that the user U can concentrate on playing the baseball game without paying attention to the generation of the delivery content V.

[0151] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, the control device 21 (e.g., the game control unit 211) of the game device 20 transmits situation data D representing the situation of the baseball game to the control system 40 and the control system 60. The situation data D is data representing a situation related to the rendering condition C (C1, C2). Specifically, examples of situations represented by the situation data D include the arrival of a specific time point in the baseball game, the occurrence of various events, specific player characters involved in the events, specific actions in the events, and the virtual location where the baseball game is held. As described above, in the first and second embodiments, the situation data D (D1, D2) representing the result of determining whether the rendering condition C is met is transmitted from the game device 20, whereas in the third embodiment, the situation data D directly representing the progress of the baseball game is transmitted to the control system 40 and the control system 60. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the condition determination unit 214 is omitted from the game device 20.

[0152] Fig. 28 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control system 40 in the third embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 28, the control device 41 of the control system 40 in the third embodiment functions as a condition determination unit 415 in addition to the same elements as in the first embodiment (a condition setting unit 411, an information providing unit 412, a material control unit 413, and a material sending unit 414).

[0153] The condition determination unit 415 determines whether the rendering condition C1 is fulfilled or not by using the situation data D that the communication device 43 receives from the game device 20. That is, whether each rendering condition C1 registered in the reference data R1 is fulfilled or not is determined according to the situation data D. The material control unit 413 of the third embodiment updates the material data Q1 according to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit 415.

[0154] Fig. 29 is a flowchart of the process executed in the editing process by the control device 41 of the control system 40. That is, in the third embodiment, the process of Fig. 14 in the first embodiment is replaced with the process of Fig. 29.

[0155] After receiving the material request M1 (Sb41) and saving the material data Q1 (Sb42), the control device 41 (condition determination unit 415) of the control system 40 determines whether situation data D has been received from the game device 20 (Sb43). If situation data D has been received (Sb43: YES), the control device 41 (condition determination unit 415) uses the situation data D to determine whether any of the rendering conditions C1 registered in the reference data R1 has been met (Sb47). If the rendering condition C1 has been met (Sb47: YES), the control device 41 (material control unit 413) updates the material data Q1 of the rendering material X1 (Sb44). On the other hand, if situation data D has not been received (Sb43: NO) or if the rendering condition C1 has not been met (Sb47: NO), the updating of the material data Q1 (Sb44) is not executed. Operations such as transmitting the material data Q1 to the editing system 30 (Sb45) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0156] The third embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the condition determination unit 415 of the control system 40 determines whether the rendering condition C1 is met, and therefore the processing load on the game device 20 is reduced compared to, for example, a configuration in which the game device 20 makes this determination. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment in which the game device 20 determines whether the rendering condition C1 is met, the processing load on the control system 40 is reduced compared to a configuration in which the control system 40 makes this determination.

[0157] Fig. 30 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a control system 60 in the third embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 30, the control device 61 of the control system 60 in the third embodiment functions as a condition determination unit 615 in addition to the same elements as in the first embodiment (a condition setting unit 611, an information providing unit 612, a material control unit 613, a material sending unit 614, and a payment processing unit 618).

[0158] The condition determination unit 615 determines whether the rendering condition C2 is met by using the situation data D received by the communication device 63 from the game device 20. That is, whether each rendering condition C2 registered in the reference data R2 is met is determined according to the situation data D. The material control unit 613 of the third embodiment updates the material data Q2 according to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit 615.

[0159] 31 is a flowchart of the process executed in the editing process by the control device 61 of the control system 60. That is, in the third embodiment, the process of FIG. 14 in the second embodiment is replaced with the process of FIG.

[0160] After receiving the material request M2 (Sd71) and saving the material data Q2 (Sd72), the control device 61 (condition determination unit 615) of the control system 60 determines whether the communication device 63 has received a support instruction T from the terminal device 10 (Sd73). If the support instruction T has been received (Sd73: YES), the control device 61 (condition determination unit 615) of the control system 60 determines whether situation data D has been received from the game device 20 (Sd74).

[0161] If the situation data D is received (Sd74: YES), the control device 61 (condition determination unit 615) uses the situation data D to determine whether any of the rendering conditions C2 registered in the reference data R2 is met (Sd79). If the rendering condition C2 is not met (Sd79: NO), the control device 61 (material control unit 613) updates the material data Q2 so that the rendering material X2 includes the display element X22 (Sd75). On the other hand, if the rendering condition C2 is met (Sd79: YES), the control device 61 (material control unit 613) updates the material data Q2 so that the rendering material X2 includes the display element X23 (Sd76). If the situation data D is not received (Sd74: NO), the updating of the material data Q2 (Sd75, Sd76) is not executed. Operations such as sending the material data Q2 to the editing system 30 (Sd77) are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0162] The third embodiment also achieves the same effects as the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the condition determination unit 615 of the control system 60 determines whether the rendering condition C2 is met, and therefore the processing load on the game device 20 is reduced compared to, for example, a configuration in which the game device 20 makes this determination. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment in which the game device 20 determines whether the rendering condition C2 is met, the processing load on the control system 60 is reduced compared to a configuration in which the control system 60 makes this determination.

[0163] [Fourth embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, the cheering instruction T transmitted from each terminal device 10 specifies a cheering mode. The cheering mode is a mode (condition or attribute) of support by viewer A for user U. For example, the amount W of the value medium to be provided, exemplified in the second embodiment, is specified by the cheering instruction T as the cheering mode. As described above, viewer A can arbitrarily set the amount W to be provided.

[0164] In a form in which viewer A can select from multiple options how to cheer for user U (hereinafter referred to as "cheering method"), the cheering method selected by viewer A is specified in cheering instruction T as the cheering mode. For example, the cheering method may be the provision of currency, points, or an item. The item provided by viewer A to user U is, for example, an object that can be used in a baseball game (or other game). Furthermore, in a form in which viewer A can select from multiple options what item to provide to user U, the item selected by viewer A is specified in cheering instruction T as the cheering mode.

[0165] The material control unit 613 of the fourth embodiment controls the effect material X2 in step Sd75 or Sd76 of FIG. 26 according to the cheering mode specified in the cheering instruction T. For example, the material control unit 613 updates the effect material X2 to different images when the amount W to be provided specified as the cheering mode is below a predetermined threshold and when it exceeds the threshold. In a mode in which the cheering method (currency, points, or item) is specified as the cheering mode in the cheering instruction T, the material control unit 613 updates the effect material X2 to different images when a first cheering method is specified and when a second cheering method other than the first cheering method is specified. Furthermore, in a mode in which viewer A selects one of multiple items, the material control unit 613 updates the effect material X2 to different images when a first item is selected and when a second item other than the first item is selected.

[0166] The fourth embodiment also achieves the same effects as the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the performance material X2 is controlled according to the cheering style of viewer A. That is, the instructions of viewer A are reflected in the performance material X2. Therefore, viewer A can be effectively given an incentive to cheer for user U. The configuration of the third embodiment is also applied to the fourth embodiment.

[0167] [Variations] The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modifications that can be applied to the above-described embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0168] (1) The rendering conditions C (C1, C2) are not limited to the examples in the above-described embodiments. For example, in a competitive game such as a baseball game, the rendering conditions C may be set individually for the user U's team and the opposing team. For example, when the rendering condition C for the user U's team is met, the rendering material X (X1, X2) with a positive atmosphere may be displayed, and when the rendering condition C for the opposing team is met, the rendering material X (X1, X2) with a negative atmosphere may be displayed.

[0169] Furthermore, the rendering conditions C (C1, C2) may include variables related to a baseball game. For example, in a baseball game, conditions related to various variables such as the distance of a home run hit by a batter, the total number of strikeouts by a pitcher, the number of stolen bases by runners, etc. are specified as the rendering conditions C. For example, the rendering condition C is set to be that the numerical value of the variable exceeds a predetermined threshold. In other words, when the numerical value of the variable, which changes as the baseball game progresses, exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the rendering condition C is met. According to the above embodiment, the rendering material X (X1, X2) can be controlled according to the numerical value of the variable related to the baseball game. For example, the rendering material X is updated to different images when the numerical value of the variable exceeds a threshold and when it falls below the threshold.

[0170] Also, assume that a specific object (hereinafter referred to as a "target object") is installed in a virtual space where a baseball game is being held. The target object is, for example, a signboard installed behind the spectator seats in a virtual stadium. The condition setting unit 213 may set, as a performance condition C (C1, C2), an event in which a ball hit by a player character hits the target object. When the performance condition C is met, the material control unit 413 and the material control unit 613 update the performance material X (X1, X2) to an image (hereinafter referred to as a "special image") that allows viewer A to enjoy the provision of a specific product or service. The special image includes, for example, an application code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) that allows viewer A to apply for a campaign in which the product or service can be won. The above embodiment encourages viewer A to view distribution content V and is expected to have the effect of advertising the specific product or service. Therefore, an effective partnership is realized between a business providing the product or service and user U providing distribution content V.

[0171] (2) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the user U selects one of a plurality of options as the rendering condition C (C1, C2), but embodiments in which the user U can arbitrarily set the details of the rendering condition C are also envisioned. Similarly, for the control mode P (P1, P2), in addition to a form in which the user U selects one of a plurality of options as the control mode P, embodiments in which the user U can arbitrarily set the details of the control mode P are also envisioned. Furthermore, embodiments in which the correspondence between the rendering condition C and the control mode P is set in advance, and when the user U selects a rendering condition C, the control mode P corresponding to the rendering condition C is automatically selected are also envisioned.

[0172] (3) In the second embodiment, an example has been given in which each of the control system 40 and the control system 60 communicates directly with the game device 20. However, the control system 60 may communicate with the game device 20 via the control system 40. For example, the unit data Z (Z1, Z2) generated by the condition setting unit 213 is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 40, and then transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60. Note that, of the plurality of unit data Z received by the control system 40 from the game device 20, only the unit data Z2 related to the control system 60 may be selectively transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60. Alternatively, all of the plurality of unit data Z received by the control system 40 from the game device 20 may be transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60.

[0173] While the above description has focused on the unit data Z, the situation data D (D, D1, D2) exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments may also be transmitted to the control system 60 via the control system 40. That is, the situation data D is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 40, and then transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60. Note that, of the plurality of situation data D (D1, D2) received by the control system 40 from the game device 20, only the situation data D2 related to the control system 60 may be selectively transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60. Alternatively, all of the plurality of situation data D received by the control system 40 from the game device 20 may be transmitted from the control system 40 to the control system 60.

[0174] (4) In each of the above-described forms, the production material X (X1, X2) is composed of images, but the production material X may also be composed of audio. For example, in addition to the above-described forms in which the production material X is composed only of images, a form in which the production material X is composed of images and audio, or a form in which the production material X is composed only of audio, is also envisioned. In a form in which the production material X includes audio, the audio of the production material X is included in the audio of the distribution content V. For example, the editing processing unit 312 generates the audio of the distribution content V by mixing the audio of the play material Xa, the audio of the recorded material Xb, the audio of the production material X1, and the audio of the production material X2. A form in which the play material Xa is composed only of audio, or a form in which the recorded material Xb is composed only of audio, is also envisioned.

[0175] (5) In the above-described embodiments, the game device 20 and the editing system 30 are separate devices, but the game device 20 and the editing system 30 may be configured as an integrated unit. That is, the recording system 2 may be configured as a single device. Also, in the above-described embodiments, the editing system 30 and the distribution system 50 are separate devices, but the editing system 30 and the distribution system 50 may be configured as an integrated unit. That is, the editing system 30 may be equipped with a function for transmitting the distribution content V generated by the editing processing unit 312 to each terminal device 10.

[0176] (6) In the above-described embodiments, the user U inputs the location information L (L1, L2) displayed on the display device 241 of the game device 20 to the editing system 30 using the operation device 35. However, the editing system 30 may acquire the location information L in any configuration. For example, the location information L may be transmitted from the game device 20 to the editing system 30 via a wired or wireless connection. In addition, in an embodiment in which a readable image (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) representing the location information L is displayed on the display device 241, the editing system 30 may acquire the location information L by optically reading the image using the recording device 36 (imaging device) of the editing system 30. In an embodiment in which the game device 20 and the editing system 30 are integrated, the user U may copy and paste the location information L displayed by the information notification unit 215 onto the editing screen for the distribution content V.

[0177] (7) In the above embodiments, the editing system 30 transmits the material request M1 including the location information L1 to the control system 40. However, the editing system 30 may transmit the material request M1 including the identification information Uid of the user U instead of the location information L1 to the control system 40. The material transmission unit 414 of the control system 40 transmits the material data Q1 associated with the identification information Uid included in the material request M1 to the requesting editing system 30. As can be understood from the above explanation, the exchange of the location information L1 between the recording system 2 and the control system 40 may be omitted. The same applies to the location information L2. That is, the editing system 30 may transmit the material request M2 including the identification information Uid of the user U instead of the location information L2 to the control system 60. The material transmission unit 614 of the control system 60 transmits the material data Q2 associated with the identification information Uid included in the material request M2 to the requesting editing system 30. That is, the exchange of the location information L2 between the recording system 2 and the control system 60 may be omitted.

[0178] (8) In the above-described embodiments, the condition setting unit 213 that sets the control condition Y1 and the control condition Y2 is installed in the game device 20, but the condition setting unit 213 may be installed in an information processing device separate from the game device 20. For example, the setting data S1 and the setting data S2 generated by the information processing device in response to an instruction from the user U may be provided to the game device 20 from the information processing device via the communication network 3.

[0179] (9) In the above embodiments, a baseball game is exemplified, but the present invention can be applied to any type of game. The presentation conditions C (C1, C2) are set in various ways depending on the type of game.

[0180] For example, the above-mentioned forms are also applicable to competitive games other than baseball. For example, in a soccer game, the occurrence of various events such as "shoot," "score," "offside," and "foul" are exemplified as the performance conditions C (C1-b, C2-b). In a fighting game, the occurrence of various events such as "the occurrence of a specific special move," "the occurrence of a combo a predetermined number of times or more," "knockout," and "down" are exemplified as the performance conditions C (C1-b, C2-b). In addition to one-on-one competitive games, the present invention is also applicable to competitive games (e.g., battle royale games) in which a user U competes against multiple opponents. In competitive games, in addition to a form in which the user U competes against real opponents, a form in which the user U competes against virtual opponents (non-player characters such as so-called CPU players) is also envisioned.

[0181] In addition to competitive games, the present invention is also applicable to games played by a single user U. For example, the present invention is also applicable to an exploration game in which a character operated by the user U explores a virtual world. In addition to the games exemplified above, the present invention is applicable to any type of game regardless of the number or relationship of players, such as a lottery game in which a lottery process such as an electronic lottery is executed, a music game in which the user U moves in time with music, or an action game in which the user U achieves various objectives by operating a character.

[0182] (10) In the first embodiment, an information system 1 including a control system 40 is exemplified, and in the second embodiment, an information system 1 including a control system 40 and a control system 60 is exemplified, but the control system 40 may be omitted from the information system 1.

[0183] (11) The functions of the control system 40 according to each of the above-described embodiments are realized by cooperation between one or more processors (control device 41) and a program. Furthermore, the functions of the control system 60 according to each of the above-described embodiments are realized by cooperation between one or more processors (control device 61) and a program. The programs according to each of the above-described embodiments can be provided in a form stored on a computer-readable recording medium and installed on a computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium. A good example of such a recording medium is an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM, but it also includes any known type of recording medium, such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that a non-transitory recording medium includes any recording medium other than a transitory, propagating signal, and does not exclude volatile recording media. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a distribution device distributes a program via a communication network 3, a storage device in the distribution device that stores the program corresponds to the non-transitory recording medium.

[0184] [Note] From the above description, for example, the following preferred embodiments of the present invention can be understood. Note that, in order to facilitate understanding of each embodiment, reference numerals in the drawings are written in parentheses for convenience, but this is not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0185] [Appendix A] Various techniques for editing game images showing the progress of a game have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6098691 discloses a configuration for generating content using game data showing the game situation and synthesizing the content with game images. Meanwhile, it is becoming common for individual users to distribute images showing the progress of the game they are playing (so-called game commentary videos) in parallel with the progress of the game. In the aforementioned techniques, since information along the game progress is simply synthesized with game images, it is difficult to generate diverse content that reflects the intentions or preferences of individual users. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A) aims to generate diverse distribution content that reflects the intentions or preferences of users.

[0186] [Appendix A1] A control system (40) according to one aspect (Appendix A1) of the present invention is a control system (40) that supports the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game played by a user (U), and includes: an information providing unit (412) that provides the user (U) with location information (L1) representing the location of material data (Q1) representing performance material (X1) used in the distribution content (V); a material control unit (413) that updates the material data (Q1) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) under control conditions (Y1) set in response to instructions from the user (U); and a material sending unit (414) that sends the material data (Q1) to the editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U), in response to a request (M1) using the location information (L1) from the editing system (30).

[0187] In the above-described embodiment, the material data (Q1) transmitted from the control system (40) to the editing system (30) using the location information (L1) is updated under the control conditions (Y1) according to instructions from the user (U). Therefore, it is possible to generate a variety of distribution content (V) including performance materials (X1) that reflect the intentions or preferences of the user (U). Furthermore, by a simple process of setting the location information (L1) for the distribution content (V), the performance materials (X1) used in the distribution content (V) can be updated in parallel with the progress of the game as the user (U) plays.

[0188] "Distribution content (V)" is content that includes at least one of an image (still image, video, or text) and sound. "Distribution content (V) that represents the progress of a game" is content that includes, for example, an image that represents the progress of a game. Note that there is no need to consider whether the image displayed to the game player is the same as the game image included in the distribution content (V).

[0189] "Performance material (X1)" is an element for production that constitutes the distribution content (V), and includes, for example, at least one of an image (still image, video, or character string) and sound. For example, an image and / or sound for production included in the distribution content (V) is an example of "performance material (X1)".

[0190] "Location information (L1)" is data indicating the location of material data (Q1). For example, a URL indicating the location where material data (Q1) is saved is exemplified as "location information (L1)". The location information (L1) is transmitted to, for example, a game device that controls the progress of the game. The method of presenting the location information (L1) to the user (U) is arbitrary. For example, the location information (L1) may be displayed on a display device, or a readable image (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) representing the location information (L1) may be displayed.

[0191] The "control condition (Y1)" is a condition for controlling the effect material (X1), and is set according to instructions from the user (U) playing the game. For example, the "control condition (Y1)" may be a basic condition (B1) for whether or not to update the material data (Q1) as the game progresses, or an effect condition (C1) whose success or failure changes as the game progresses. "Updating the material data (Q1) under the control condition (Y1)" means that whether or not the material data (Q1) is updated is linked to whether or not the control condition (Y1) is met. For example, it is assumed that the material data (Q1) is updated when the control condition (Y1) is met.

[0192] The "editing system 30" is a computer system for generating the distribution content (V). For example, a computer system separate from the game device that controls the game is used as the "editing system 30." The editing system 30 may acquire the location information (L1) via any route. For example, the user (U) may manually input the location information (L1) into the editing system 30, the location information (L1) may be transmitted from a device (e.g., a game device) to which the location information (L1) is provided to the editing system 30, or the editing system 30 may read the location information (L1) provided as a readable image. Note that the function of progressing the game and the function of generating the distribution content (V) may be incorporated into a single system. In other words, the editing system 30 may function as a game device.

[0193] [Appendix A2] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A2) of Appendix A1, the control condition (Y1) includes a basic condition (B1) regarding whether or not the material data (Q1) is updated. According to the above aspect, the user (U) can arbitrarily select whether or not to update the material data (Q1). In an aspect in which the control condition (Y1) includes the basic condition (B1) regarding whether or not the material data (Q1) is updated, the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) when the basic condition (B1) indicates that the material data (Q1) should be updated (valid state), and stops updating the material data (Q1) when the basic condition (B1) indicates that the material data (Q1) should not be updated (invalid state).

[0194] [Appendix A3] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A3) of Appendix A1 or Appendix A2, the control condition (Y1) includes a performance condition (C1) related to the progress of the game. According to the above aspect, it is possible to include in the distribution content (V) appropriate performance material (X1) according to the progress of the game.

[0195] [Appendix A4] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A4) of Appendix A3, the rendering condition (C1) includes a condition (C1-a) related to a time point in the game. According to the above aspect, the material data (Q1) is updated depending on whether a specific time point has arrived in the game. For example, the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) when a specific time point has arrived in the game (i.e., when the rendering condition (C1) is met). Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively renders the arrival of a specific time point in the game.

[0196] A "specific point in time in a game" is, for example, a point in time that arrives as the game progresses. For example, a "condition related to a specific point in time" may be the arrival of a specific inning in a baseball game, or the arrival of the end of the first half (i.e., the start of halftime) in a soccer game.

[0197] [Appendix A5] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A5) of Appendix A3 or Appendix A4, the rendering condition (C1) includes a condition (C1-c) related to the virtual location where the game is played. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q1) is controlled according to the virtual location where the game is played. Therefore, effective rendering specific to a specific location is realized by the rendering material (X1).

[0198] [Appendix A6] In any specific example (Supplementary Note A6) of Supplementary Note A3 to Supplementary Note A5, the rendering condition (C1) includes a condition (C1-b) related to an event occurring in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q1) is controlled depending on whether a specific event has occurred in the game. For example, the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) when a specific event has occurred in the game. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) in which the occurrence of a specific event is effectively rendered.

[0199] [Appendix A7] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A7) of Appendix A6, the event includes an event related to a specific character in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q1) is controlled depending on whether an event related to the specific character has occurred. For example, the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) when a specific character appears or takes action. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively depicts the situation of a specific character. An "event related to a specific character" is, for example, an event in which a specific character appears or takes action.

[0200] [Appendix A8] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A8) of Supplementary Note A6 or Supplementary Note A7, the event includes an event related to a specific action of a character in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q1) is controlled depending on whether or not a character appearing in the game has performed a specific action. For example, the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) when the character has performed a specific action. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively depicts the specific action of the character.

[0201] An "event related to a specific action" is, for example, an event in which a character in a game executes the action. For example, an action in which a character hits a home run in a baseball game, or an action in which a character shoots a ball in a soccer game, are examples of "events related to an action." Furthermore, in a game that uses a ball, such as a baseball game or a soccer game, the material data (Q1) may be updated in response to an action in which the ball hits a specific object in the virtual space. The specific object corresponds to, for example, an advertising billboard installed in a stadium in the virtual space.

[0202] [Appendix A9] In any specific example (Supplementary Note A9) of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A8, the material control unit (413) receives situation data (D1) representing the result of determining whether the control condition (Y1) is satisfied, and updates the material data (Q1) according to the result of the determination represented by the situation data (D1). According to the above aspect, the control system (40) receives the situation data (D1) representing the result of determining whether the control condition (Y1) is satisfied, and therefore the processing load on the control system (40) is reduced compared to a configuration in which the control system (40) executes the determination.

[0203] [Appendix A10] In any specific example (Supplementary Note A10) of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A8, the game system further includes a condition determination unit (415) that receives situation data (D1) representing the situation of the game and determines whether the control condition (Y1) is fulfilled or not using the situation data (D1), and the material control unit (413) updates the material data (Q1) in accordance with the result of the determination by the condition determination unit (415). According to the above aspect, since the condition determination unit (415) of the control system (40) determines whether the control condition (Y1) is fulfilled or not, the processing load of the game device is reduced compared to a configuration in which the game device executes the determination, for example.

[0204] [Appendix A11] An information system (1) according to one aspect (Appendix A11) of the present invention is an information system (1) comprising a recording system (2) and a control system (40), wherein the recording system (2) comprises a game control unit (211) that progresses a game played by a user (U), a condition setting unit (213) that sets control conditions (Y1) in response to instructions from the user (U), a material acquisition unit (311) that acquires material data (Q1) representing performance materials (X1) from the control system (40), and a distribution content (V) that includes play materials (Xa) representing the progress of the game and the performance materials (X1) represented by the material data (Q1). The control system (40) includes an information providing unit (412) that provides the user (U) with location information (L1) indicating the location of the material data (Q1), a material control unit (413) that updates the material data (Q1) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) under the control condition (Y1), and a material sending unit (414) that sends the material data (Q1) to the recording system (2) in response to a request (M1) from the recording system (2) using the location information (L1) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U).

[0205] The "recording system (2)" includes, for example, a game device including a game control unit (211) and a condition setting unit (213), and an editing system (30) including a material acquisition unit (311) and an editing processing unit (312). However, it is also possible for the condition setting unit (213), game control unit (211), material acquisition unit (311), and editing processing unit (312) to be installed in a single recording system (2). In other words, the number or multiple elements that make up the recording system (2) and the functions installed in each element of the recording system (2) are optional.

[0206] [Appendix A12] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A12) is a method for supporting the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game played by a user (U), which includes providing the user (U) with location information (L1) representing the location of material data (Q1) representing performance material (X1) used in the distribution content (V), updating the material data (Q1) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) under control conditions (Y1) set in response to instructions from the user (U), and transmitting the material data (Q1) to the editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) in response to a request (M1) using the location information (L1) from the editing system (30).

[0207] [Appendix A13] A program according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A13) is a program for assisting in the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game played by a user (U), and causes a computer system to function as an information providing unit (412) that provides the user (U) with location information (L1) representing the location of material data (Q1) representing performance material (X1) used in the distribution content (V), a material control unit (413) that updates the material data (Q1) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) under control conditions (Y1) set in response to instructions from the user (U), and a material sending unit (414) that sends the material data (Q1) to the editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U), in response to a request (M1) using the location information (L1) from the editing system (30).

[0208] [Appendix A14] A control system (40) according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A14) is a control system (40) that supports the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game played by a user (U), and includes a material control unit (413) that updates material data (Q1) representing performance material (X1) used in the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U) under control conditions (Y1) set in accordance with instructions from the user (U), and a material transmission unit (414) that transmits the material data (Q1) to an editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user (U).

[0209] [Appendix A15] In a specific example (Appendix A15) of Appendix A14, the distribution content (V) further includes an information providing unit (412) that provides the user (U) with location information (L1) indicating the location of material data (Q1) representing the performance material (X1) used in the distribution content (V), and the material transmitting unit (414) transmits the material data (Q1) to the editing system (30) in response to a request (M1) from the editing system (30) using the location information (L1).

[0210] [Appendix B] Various technologies for distributing user-created content to multiple viewers have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6001757 discloses a technology that allows viewers to express favorable feelings toward a content distributor by purchasing and using paid or free items. However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 merely changes visual effects depending on whether the item used by the viewer is paid or free. Therefore, the presentation effects in the content tend to be monotonous, making it difficult to effectively motivate viewers to use the items. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present invention aims to diversify the presentation effects of distributed content in response to instructions from viewers.

[0211] [Appendix B1] A control system (60) according to one aspect (Appendix B1) of the present invention is a control system (60) that supports the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game, and includes a material control unit (613) that updates material data (Q2) representing performance material (X2) used in the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game, in accordance with cheering instructions (T) indicating that a viewer (A) of the distribution content (V) is cheering on the play of the game and situation data (D2) representing the situation of the game, and a material transmission unit (614) that transmits the material data (Q2) to an editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game.

[0212] In the above-described embodiment, the material data (Q2) of the effect material (X2) used in the distributed content (V) is updated according to the cheering instructions (T) from the viewer (A) of the distributed content (V) and the status of the game. For example, the mode of the effect material (X2) displayed in the distributed content (V) according to the cheering instructions (T) changes according to the status of the game. Therefore, the effects related to the cheering instructions (T) from the viewer (A) in the distributed content (V) are diversified, and the viewer (A) can be effectively encouraged to give the cheering instructions (T).

[0213] "Distribution content (V)" is content that includes at least one of an image (still image, video, or text) and sound. "Distribution content (V) that represents the progress of a game" is content that includes, for example, an image that represents the progress of a game. Note that there is no need to consider whether the image displayed to the game player is the same as the game image included in the distribution content (V).

[0214] The player who actually plays the game may be the user (distributor) who generates the distribution content (V), or may be a user other than the distributor.

[0215] "Performance material (X2)" is an element for production that constitutes the distribution content (V), and includes, for example, at least one of an image (still image, video, or character string) and sound. For example, an image and / or sound for production included in the distribution content (V) is an example of "performance material (X2)".

[0216] A "support instruction (T)" is an instruction given by a viewer (A) to support the game play. A suitable example of "support" by a viewer (A) is, for example, paid support that includes the provision of a medium of value (so-called tipping). The provision of a medium of value includes the direct provision of a medium of value such as money, or the provision of an item that can be obtained in exchange for a medium of value (indirect provision of a medium of value). It does not matter whether support by a viewer (A) is paid or free (whether or not it includes the provision of a medium of value).

[0217] The "editing system (30)" is a computer system for generating the distribution content (V). For example, a computer system separate from the game device that controls the game is used as the "editing system (30)." Note that the function of progressing the game and the function of generating the distribution content (V) may be incorporated into a single system. In other words, it is also possible for the editing system (30) to function as a game device.

[0218] "Updating the material data (Q2) in accordance with the cheering instruction (T) and the game situation" means that the effect material (X2) represented by the material data (Q2) changes in accordance with the presence or absence or type of the cheering instruction (T) and the combination of the game situation. For example, it is assumed that the effect material (X2) displayed in response to the cheering instruction (T) changes in accordance with the game situation. The type of the cheering instruction (T) refers to the conditions related to the cheering instruction (T) (for example, the quantity of the medium of value provided by the viewer (A) or the type of item provided by the viewer (A)).

[0219] [Appendix B2] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B2) of Appendix B1, the system further includes an information providing unit (612) that provides location information (L2) indicating the location of the material data (Q2) to a user (U) who generates the distribution content (V), and the material transmitting unit (614) transmits the material data (Q2) to the editing system (30) in response to a request (M2) from the editing system (30) that uses the location information (L2). According to the above aspect, by a simple process of setting location information (L2) for the distribution content (V), the performance material (X2) used in the distribution content (V) can be updated in parallel with the progress of the game.

[0220] The "location information (L2)" is data indicating the location of the material data (Q2). For example, a URL indicating the location where the material data (Q2) is saved is exemplified as the "location information (L2)". The location information (L2) is transmitted to, for example, a game device that controls the progress of the game. The method of presenting the location information (L2) to the user (U) is arbitrary. For example, the location information (L2) may be displayed on a display device, or a readable image (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) representing the location information (L2) may be displayed.

[0221] The editing system 30 may acquire the location information L2 through any route. For example, the user U may manually input the location information L2 into the editing system 30, the location information L2 may be transmitted from a device (e.g., a game device) to which the location information L2 is provided to the editing system 30, or the editing system 30 may read the location information L2 provided as a readable image.

[0222] [Appendix B3] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B3) of Appendix B1 or Appendix B2, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) under control conditions (Y2) set in response to instructions from the user (U). In the above-described embodiment, the material data (Q2) transmitted from the control system (60) to the editing system (30) is updated under control conditions (Y2) in response to instructions from the user (U). Therefore, a variety of distribution contents (V) including performance materials (X2) that reflect the intentions or preferences of the user (U) can be generated.

[0223] [Appendix B4] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B4) of Appendix B3, the control condition (Y2) includes a basic condition (B2) regarding whether or not the material data (Q2) is updated. According to the above aspect, the user (U) can arbitrarily select whether or not to update the material data (Q2). In an aspect in which the control condition (Y2) includes a basic condition (B2) regarding whether or not the material data (Q2) is updated, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) when the basic condition (B2) indicates that the material data (Q2) should be updated (valid state), and stops updating the material data (Q2) when the basic condition (B2) indicates that the material data (Q2) should not be updated (invalid state).

[0224] [Appendix B5] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B5) of Appendix B3 or Appendix B4, the control condition (Y2) includes a performance condition (C2) related to the progress of the game. According to the above aspect, it is possible to include in the distribution content (V) appropriate performance material (X2) according to the progress of the game.

[0225] [Appendix B6] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B6) of Appendix B5, the rendering condition (C2) includes a condition (C2-a) related to a time point in the game. According to the above aspect, the material data (Q2) is updated depending on whether a specific time point has arrived in the game. For example, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) when a specific time point has arrived in the game (i.e., when the rendering condition (C2) is met). Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively renders the arrival of a specific time point in the game.

[0226] A "specific point in time in a game" is, for example, a point in time that arrives as the game progresses. For example, a "condition related to a specific point in time" may be the arrival of a specific inning in a baseball game, or the arrival of the end of the first half (i.e., the start of halftime) in a soccer game.

[0227] [Appendix B7] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B7) of Appendix B5 or Appendix B6, the rendering condition (C2) includes a condition (C2-c) related to the virtual location where the game is played. According to the above aspect, the updating of the material data (Q2) is controlled according to the virtual location where the game is played. Therefore, an effective rendering specific to a specific location is realized by the rendering material (X2).

[0228] [Appendix B8] In any of the specific examples (Supplementary Note B) of Supplementary Note B5 to Supplementary Note B7, the rendering condition (C2) includes a condition (C2-b) related to an event occurring in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q2) is controlled depending on whether a specific event has occurred in the game. For example, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) when a specific event has occurred in the game. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) in which the occurrence of a specific event is effectively rendered.

[0229] [Appendix B9] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B9) of Appendix B8, the event includes an event related to a specific character in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q2) is controlled depending on whether an event related to the specific character has occurred. For example, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) when a specific character appears or takes action. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively depicts the situation of a specific character. An "event related to a specific character" is, for example, an event in which a specific character appears or takes action.

[0230] [Appendix B10]

[0231] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B10) of Supplementary Note B8 or Supplementary Note B9, the event includes an event related to a specific action of a character in the game. According to the above aspect, updating of the material data (Q2) is controlled depending on whether or not a character appearing in the game has performed a specific action. For example, the material control unit (613) updates the material data (Q2) when the character has performed a specific action. Therefore, it is possible to generate distribution content (V) that effectively depicts the specific action of the character.

[0232] An "event related to a specific action" is, for example, an event in which a character in a game executes the action. For example, an action in which a character hits a home run in a baseball game, or an action in which a character shoots a ball in a soccer game, are examples of "events related to an action." Furthermore, in a game that uses a ball, such as a baseball game or a soccer game, the material data (Q2) may be updated in response to an action in which the ball hits a specific object in the virtual space. The specific object corresponds to, for example, an advertising billboard installed in a stadium in the virtual space.

[0233] [Appendix B11] In any specific example (Supplementary Note B11) of Supplementary Note B1 to Supplementary Note B10, the material control unit (613) controls the performance material (X2) according to the cheering style based on the cheering instruction (T). According to the above-described aspect, the performance material (X2) is controlled according to the cheering style by the viewer (A) of the distribution content (V). Therefore, the viewer (A) can be effectively given an incentive to cheer for the user (U).

[0234] The "mode of support" refers to various conditions related to the support instruction (T). For example, in the case of paid support that includes the provision of a medium of value (so-called tipping), the quantity (amount provided) of the medium of value provided by the viewer (A) is an example of the "mode of support." In addition, in a form in which the viewer (A) can select one of multiple support methods, the type of support method is an example of the "mode of support."

[0235] [Appendix B12] An information system (1) according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B12) is an information system (1) comprising a recording system (2) and a control system (60), wherein the recording system (2) comprises a material acquisition unit (311) that acquires material data (Q2) representing performance material (X2) from the control system (60), and an editing processing unit (312) that generates distribution content (V) including play material (Xa) representing the progress of the game and the performance material (X2) represented by the material data (Q2), and the control system (60) comprises a material control unit (613) that updates the material data (Q2) in parallel with the progress of the game in accordance with cheering instructions (T) given by a viewer (A) of the distribution content (V) to cheer on the play of the game and situation data (D2) representing the situation of the game, and a material transmission unit (614) that transmits the material data (Q2) to an editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game.

[0236] The "recording system (2)" includes, for example, a game device including a game control unit (211) and an editing system (30) including a material acquisition unit (311) and an editing processing unit (312). However, it is also possible for the game control unit (211), material acquisition unit (311), and editing processing unit (312) to be installed in a single recording system (2). In other words, the number or numbers of elements that make up the recording system (2) and the functions installed in each element of the recording system (2) are optional.

[0237] [Appendix B13] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B13) is a method for supporting the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game, in which material data (Q2) representing performance materials (X2) used in the distribution content (V) is updated in parallel with the progress of the game in accordance with cheering instructions (T) given by a viewer (A) of the distribution content (V) to cheer on the play of the game and situation data (D2) representing the situation of the game, and the material data (Q2) is transmitted in parallel with the progress of the game to an editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V).

[0238] [Appendix B14] A program according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B14) is a program for supporting the generation of distribution content (V) representing the progress of a game, and causes a computer system to function as a material control unit (613) that updates material data (Q2) representing performance material (X2) used in the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game, in accordance with cheering instructions (T) given by a viewer (A) of the distribution content (V) to cheer on the play of the game and situation data (D2) representing the situation of the game, and a material transmission unit (614) that transmits the material data (Q2) to an editing system (30) that generates the distribution content (V) in parallel with the progress of the game. [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 1...information system, 2...recording system, 3...communication network, 10...terminal device, 11,24,34...playback device, 111,241,341...display device, 112,242,342...sound emission device, 12,25,35...operation device, 20...game device, 21,31,41,61...control device, 22,32,42,62...storage device, 23,33,43,63...communication device, 24...playback device, 36...recording device, 40 ...control system, 50...distribution system, 60...control system, 211...game control unit, 212...playback control unit, 213, 411, 611...condition setting unit, 214...condition determination unit, 215...information notification unit, 311...material acquisition unit, 312...editing processing unit, 412, 612...information provision unit, 413, 613...material control unit, 414, 614...material transmission unit, 415, 615...condition determination unit, 618...payment processing unit.

Claims

1. A control system for supporting the generation of distribution content representing the progress of a game played by a user, comprising: an information providing unit that provides the user with location information indicating the location of material data representing performance materials used in the distribution content; a material control unit that updates the material data in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user when a control condition that changes depending on the state of the game and is set in response to an instruction by the user is met; a material transmitting unit that transmits the material data to the editing system in response to a request from an editing system that generates the distribution content, the request including the location information acquired by the editing system from the user, in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user; A control system comprising:

2. The control conditions include presentation conditions related to the progress of the game. The control system of claim 1.

3. The presentation conditions include conditions relating to a time point in the game. The control system of claim 2.

4. The presentation conditions include conditions related to a virtual location where the game is played. The control system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The presentation conditions include conditions regarding events that occur in the game. The control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The event includes an event related to a specific character in the game. The control system of claim 5.

7. The events include events related to specific actions of characters in the game. The control system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The material control unit receives situation data representing a result of determining whether the control condition is satisfied, and updates the material data in accordance with the determination result represented by the situation data. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a condition determination unit that receives situation data representing a situation of the game and determines whether the control condition is met or not using the situation data; The material control unit updates the material data in accordance with the result of the determination by the condition determination unit. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. An information system comprising a recording system and a control system, The recording system includes: a game control unit that progresses the game played by the user; a condition setting unit that sets a control condition whose success or failure changes depending on the situation of the game in accordance with an instruction from the user; a material acquisition unit that acquires material data representing performance materials from the control system; an editing processing unit that generates distribution content including play materials representing the progress of the game and performance materials represented by the material data, The control system includes: an information providing unit that provides location information indicating the location of the material data to the user; a material control unit that updates the material data in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user when the control condition is met; a material transmitting unit that transmits the material data to the recording system in response to a request from the recording system including the location information, in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user. Information systems.

11. A method for supporting the generation of distribution content representing the progress of a game played by a user, comprising: providing the user with location information indicating the location of material data representing performance materials used in the distribution content; When a control condition is established, the control condition being a condition whose success or failure changes depending on the state of the game and set in response to an instruction from the user, the material data is updated in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user; In response to a request from an editing system that generates the distribution content, the request including the location information acquired by the editing system from the user, the material data is transmitted to the editing system in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user. An information processing method implemented by a computer system.

12. A program for supporting the generation of distribution content representing the progress of a game played by a user, an information providing unit that provides the user with location information indicating the location of material data representing performance materials used in the distribution content; a material control unit that updates the material data in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user when a control condition, the success or failure of which changes depending on the state of the game and which is set in accordance with an instruction by the user, is fulfilled; and a material transmission unit that transmits the material data to the editing system in response to a request from an editing system that generates the distribution content, the request including the location information acquired by the editing system from the user, in parallel with the progress of the game played by the user; A program that makes a computer system function as a

Images