Information system, information processing method, program, and video distribution system

Abstract

To encourage many users to watch a game video.SOLUTION: An information system 100 includes a video distribution part 111 which transmits video data for displaying a distribution video including a game image representing a state of a game played by one or more players P, to a plurality of terminal devices 30, a condition setting part 112 which sets a setting condition related to the game in accordance with an instruction from a user U of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices 30, a game control part 211 which controls the game, and a condition determination part 212 which determines whether the setting condition in the game is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for distributing video related to games. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game system that executes a game in which multiple users can participate, and any one of the multiple users can give instructions regarding an operation target to the other users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6214027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, a technology has been proposed for distributing video showing the status of a game in which multiple players compete against each other to multiple terminal devices. However, with conventional technology, users of the terminal devices only passively watch the video showing the status of the game, and this has limitations in promoting video viewing by a large number of users. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to promote video viewing by a large number of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an information system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a video distribution unit that distributes a streaming video including game images showing the status of a game being played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices, a condition setting unit that sets setting conditions for the game in response to instructions from users of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices, a game control unit that controls the game, and a condition determination unit that determines whether the setting conditions in the game are met.

[0006] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention distributes a streaming video including game images representing the status of a game being played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices, while setting setting conditions for the game in accordance with instructions from users of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices, controlling the game, and determining whether the setting conditions in the game are met.

[0007] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer system to function as a video distribution unit that distributes a streaming video including game images representing the status of a game being played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices, a condition setting unit that sets setting conditions for the game in response to instructions from users of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices, a game control unit that controls the game, and a condition determination unit that determines whether the setting conditions in the game are met. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information system and a terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a streaming video. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an instruction acceptance screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video distribution system. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure for setting a setting condition. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a control process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a distribution process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information system and a terminal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a control process in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a distribution video in the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an instruction acceptance screen in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information system 100 according to a first embodiment. The information system 100 is a computer system for distributing a distribution video Vb (see FIG. 6) showing the status of a competitive game played by players P1 and P2 to a plurality of terminal devices 30. For example, in an event (esports) in which many participants participate, players P1 and P2 compete in a competitive game (specifically, a fighting game). The distribution video Vb is content including images and sounds, and is distributed to each terminal device 30 in real time in parallel with the progress of the competitive game (i.e., live distribution). In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between players P1 and P2, they will be simply referred to as "player P." The same applies to other reference numerals.

[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information system 100 includes a video distribution system 10 and a game system 20. Each of the multiple terminal devices 30 and the video distribution system 10 can communicate with each other via a communication network 200 such as the Internet. Similarly, the video distribution system 10 and the game system 20 can communicate with each other via the communication network 200. The game system 20 is a computer system that provides a competitive game. The video distribution system 10 is a computer system that distributes a distribution video Vb representing the status of the competitive game provided by the game system 20 to the multiple terminal devices 30. Note that the video distribution system 10 and the game system 20 may be realized by a single device.

[0012] Each of the multiple terminal devices 30 is an information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a personal computer. Any device capable of acquiring and displaying the distribution video Vb, such as a television connected to the communication network 200, can be used as the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 may be either portable or stationary. A user U of each terminal device 30 watches the distribution video Vb distributed to the terminal device 30 from the information system 100. That is, the user U can watch the distribution video Vb showing the status of the competitive game in real time in parallel with the progress of the competitive game.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a game system 20. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the game system 20 includes a control device 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, and multiple game units G (G1, G2). The game system 20 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0014] The control device 21 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the game system 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).

[0015] 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 well-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. The communication device 23 communicates with the video distribution system 10 via the communication network 200.

[0016] Each game unit G (G1, G2) is a user interface used by a player P to play a game. Player P1 uses game unit G1, and player P2 uses game unit G2. In addition to devices dedicated to competitive games, information terminals such as smartphones, tablet devices, and personal computers can also be used as game units G.

[0017] Each game unit G includes an operation device 24 and a display device 25. The operation device 24 is an input device that accepts operations by each player P. The operation device 24 is, for example, a plurality of controls operated by the player P, or a touch panel that detects contact by the player P. The plurality of game units G may be configured separately from the game system 20. For example, a configuration is also possible in which each of the plurality of game units G communicates with the game system 20 (game server) that includes a control device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23 via a communication network 200.

[0018] The display device 25 is composed of a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) panel, and displays various images under the control of the control device 21. Specifically, the display device 25 displays a gameplay video Va shown in FIG. 3 , which represents the status of the competitive game. The player P1 plays the competitive game by operating the operation device 24 of the game unit G1 while watching the gameplay video Va displayed on the display device 25 of the game unit G1. Similarly, the player P2 plays the competitive game by operating the operation device 24 of the game unit G2 while watching the gameplay video Va displayed on the display device 25 of the game unit G2. There is no need to consider whether the gameplay video Va displayed on the display device 25 of the game unit G1 is the same as the gameplay video Va displayed on the display device 25 of the game unit G2. Note that one display device 25 may be shared by the players P1 and P2. Each game unit G may be equipped with a sound emitting device (e.g., a speaker) that reproduces various sound effects according to the status of the competitive game.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gameplay video Va. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the gameplay video Va is an image including a battle game image Va1 and a reference image Va2. The battle game image Va1 is a video representing the situation of the battle game, and includes characters O1 and O2 arranged in a virtual space. The character O1 is an object controlled by the player P1, and the character O2 is an object controlled by the player P2. By operating the operation device 24 of the game unit G1, the player P1 can cause the character O1 to perform one of a plurality of actions, including attack and defense, against the character O2. Similarly, by operating the operation device 24 of the game unit G2, the player P2 can cause the character O2 to perform one of a plurality of actions, including attack and defense, against the character O1.

[0020] The reference image Va2 is an image relating to a condition (hereinafter referred to as "set condition") Cb set for the fighting game. In the first embodiment, the set condition Cb is that the character O (O1, O2) performs a specific action (hereinafter referred to as "condition action") in the fighting game. In other words, the set condition Cb is established when the character O performs the condition action. The set condition Cb is set in response to instructions from users U of the multiple terminal devices 30. The setting of the set condition Cb will be described later.

[0021] The reference image Va2 includes the set condition Cb, as well as the number of times N1 and N2 that the condition has been met. The number of times N1 that the condition has been met means the number of times that the set condition Cb has been met for the player P1. In other words, the number of times N1 that the condition has been met is the number of times that the character O1 has performed the condition action in response to an instruction from the player P1. Similarly, the number of times N2 that the condition has been met means the number of times that the set condition Cb has been met for the player P2. In other words, the number of times N2 that the condition has been met is the number of times that the character O2 has performed the condition action in response to an instruction from the player P2. Note that, although the above description has exemplified a form in which the gameplay video Va integrally includes the fighting game image Va1 and the reference image Va2, the fighting game image Va1 and the reference image Va2 may be displayed as separate images. A configuration in which the reference image Va2 is displayed as a separate image from the fighting game image Va1 has the advantage that it is easier for each player P to check the status of the fighting game.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information system 100 and the terminal device 30. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the control device 21 of the game system 20 executes a program stored in the storage device 22 to realize multiple functions (a game control unit 211, a condition determination unit 212, a reward granting unit 213, and a display control unit 214).

[0023] The game control unit 211 controls the progress of the battle game to which the setting condition Cb is applied. Specifically, the game control unit 211 causes the character O1 to perform an action instructed by the player P1 and the character O2 to perform an action instructed by the player P2, thereby causing the character O1 to battle against the character O2. The game control unit 211 then determines whether the player P1 and the player P2 will win or lose as the battle between the character O1 and the character O2 progresses.

[0024] The condition determination unit 212 determines whether the set condition Cb is met in parallel with the progress of the competitive game. Specifically, the condition determination unit 212 receives condition data Qb representing the set condition Cb from the video distribution system 10, and determines whether the set condition Cb represented by the condition data Qb is met. The condition determination unit 212 of the first embodiment determines whether the set condition Cb is met for each of the player P1 and the player P2 individually. The condition determination unit 212 then counts the number of times N1 the set condition Cb for the player P1 is met and the number of times N2 the set condition Cb for the player P2 is met. Note that the function of the condition determination unit 212 may be realized by the game control unit 211. In other words, the condition determination unit 212 may be included in the game control unit 211.

[0025] The reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to the player P when a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as "reward condition") is met. The reward condition is a condition that includes the fulfillment of the set condition Cb. Specifically, when the number of times N (N1, N2) that the set condition Cb is met reaches a predetermined target value Z, Reward conditions That is, the reward granting unit 213 counts the number of times that the condition determining unit 212 determines that the set condition Cb is met as the number of times that the condition is met N (N1, N2), and determines whether the number of times that the condition is met N has reached the target value Z. Note that the condition determining unit 212 may be included in the reward granting unit 213.

[0026] For example, the reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to the player P1 when the number of times N1 is achieved reaches a target value Z. That is, a reward is granted to the player P1 when the number of times the character O1 executes the condition action in the fighting game (i.e., the number of times N1 the set condition Cb is achieved) is equal to or greater than the target value Z. Similarly, the reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to the player P2 when the number of times N2 is achieved reaches the target value Z. The content of the reward is arbitrary, but for example, a predetermined amount of points that can be used in the fighting game are granted to the player P as a reward. Points are, for example, a value that can be consumed to play the fighting game or to acquire items in the fighting game. The reward granting unit 213 may determine the type or quantity of rewards to be granted to each player P. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the target value Z related to the reward condition is displayed on the reference image Va2 together with the number of times N(N1, N2) that the condition is achieved. Note that the type or quantity of rewards to be granted to each player P may also be displayed on the reference image Va2. By displaying the reward in the gameplay video Va, each player P can be given an incentive to aim for the establishment of the set condition Cb (specifically, an incentive to have the character O execute the conditional action).

[0027] 2, the storage device 22 stores, for each of a plurality of pre-registered registrants, the number of points held by that registrant as the number of held points M (M1, M2, ...). The plurality of registrants includes, for example, a player P or a user U. In other words, a specific registrant among the plurality of registrants can play as player P, and each registrant can watch the distributed video Vb as user U.

[0028] The reward granting unit 213 in FIG. 4 grants a reward to a player P for whom a reward condition is met by adding a predetermined value to the number of points M held by the player P. The reward granting unit 213 of the first embodiment also grants a reward to each of multiple users U. For example, when the reward condition is met, the reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to one or more users U among the multiple users U who specified the setting condition Cb(Ca) that will actually be applied to the competitive game. Specifically, the reward granting unit 213 adds a predetermined value to the number of points M held by each user U who specified the setting condition Cb. This configuration has the advantage of being able to provide an incentive to many users U to participate in the competitive game. Note that a configuration in which a reward is granted to all users U who specified the setting condition Cb regardless of whether the reward condition is met is also conceivable.

[0029] Note that each user U may specify the reward to be granted to player P when the reward condition is met. Specifically, the reward granting unit 213 determines the type or amount of reward to be granted to player P when the reward condition is met, in response to instructions from multiple users U. For example, a configuration is envisioned in which the type of reward is determined by majority vote among multiple users U, or a configuration in which a representative value (e.g., average value) of the quantities specified by multiple users U is determined as the reward amount. Furthermore, the reward to be granted to each user U may be specified by each user U, similar to the reward for each player P.

[0030] The display control unit 214 in FIG. 4 causes each display device 25 to display a game play video Va that shows the progress of the competitive game. Specifically, the display control unit 214 causes the display device 25 to display the game play video Va by supplying video data Da that shows the game play video Va to the display device 25. Note that a configuration in which a control device 21 is installed for each game unit G (each display device 25) is also envisioned. In the above configuration, the display control unit 214 realized by each control device 21 causes the display device 25 corresponding to that control device 21 to display the game play video Va.

[0031] Furthermore, the display control unit 214 of the first embodiment transmits the video data Da to be supplied to the display device 25 from the communication device 23 to the video distribution system 10. Note that the display control unit 214 may perform various image processing, such as compression, on the video data Da to be supplied to the display device 25 and transmit the resulting video data Da from the communication device 23 to the video distribution system 10. The transmission of the video data Da to the video distribution system 10 is periodically repeated during the period in which the competitive game is being played. That is, the video data Da is sequentially transmitted (streamed) to the video distribution system 10 in parallel with the progress of the competitive game. Note that, as can be understood from the above explanation, the format of the video data Da supplied to the display device 25 and the format of the video data Da transmitted to the video distribution system 10 may be the same or different. The video data Da transmitted to the video distribution system 10 is generated in any format suitable for processing in the video distribution system 10.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each of the multiple terminal devices 30. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the terminal device 30 includes a control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a display device 34, and an operation device 35. The terminal device 30 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0033] The control device 31 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the terminal device 30. Specifically, the control device 31 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or an ASIC.

[0034] 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. 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 32.

[0035] The communication device 33 communicates with the video distribution system 10 via the communication network 200. Specifically, the communication device 33 receives video data Db transmitted from the video distribution system 10 via the communication network 200. The video data Db is data representing a distribution video Vb.

[0036] The display device 34 is configured with a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, and displays images under the control of the control device 31. Specifically, the display device 34 displays the distribution video Vb represented by the video data Db received by the communication device 33. In parallel with the display of the distribution video Vb, various sound effects according to the status of the competitive game may be reproduced from a sound emitting device (e.g., a speaker) of the terminal device 30.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a distribution video Vb. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the distribution video Vb includes a gameplay video Va and a related video Vc. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the gameplay video Va includes a competitive game image Va1 that represents the status of the competitive game and a reference image Va2 related to the setting conditions Cb. The related video Vc is a variety of images related to the competitive game. Specifically, the related video Vc includes a video Vc1 of a player P1 playing the competitive game and a video Vc2 of a player P2 similarly playing the competitive game. For example, the related video Vc may include a video captured of the venue where the players P1 and P2 are playing the competitive game.

[0038] The operation device 35 in Figure 5 is an input device that accepts instructions from the user U. The operation device 35 is, for example, a plurality of operators operated by the user U, or a touch panel that is integrated with the display device 34. By operating the operation device 35, the user U can specify a desired condition Ca (hereinafter referred to as "command condition") related to the fighting game. Specifically, one of a plurality of actions that can be performed by a character O appearing in the fighting game is specified as the command condition Ca.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an image (hereinafter referred to as the "instruction receiving screen") R1 displayed on the display device 34 so that the user U can specify the instruction condition Ca. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the instruction receiving screen R1 displays a plurality of options r1 selectable by the user U. Each of the options r1 represents an action that the character O can perform in the fighting game (i.e., an action that the player P can specify). The user U can select one of the options r1 by operating the operation device 35. The user U's selection of one option r1 corresponds to specifying the action corresponding to the option r1 as the instruction condition Ca. The instruction receiving screen R1 is displayed on the display device 34, for example, in parallel with the distributed video Vb. Therefore, the user U can specify the instruction condition Ca while watching the distributed video Vb. It is also possible to configure the instruction receiving screen R1 to be displayed or hidden in response to an instruction from the user U.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 31 of the terminal device 30 includes a storage device. 32 By executing the programs stored in the memory, a plurality of functions (a display control unit 311, an instruction receiving unit 312, and an instruction transmitting unit 313) are realized.

[0041] The display control unit 311 causes the display device 34 to display the distribution video Vb represented by the video data Db received by the communication device 33. The user U can view the distribution video Vb, which represents the status of the competitive game, in real time in parallel with the progress of the competitive game. The instruction accepting unit 312 accepts an instruction of the instruction condition Ca from the user U. The instruction sending unit 313 sends instruction data Qa representing the instruction condition Ca accepted by the instruction accepting unit 312 from the communication device 33 to the video distribution system 10. The instruction data Qa is sent to the video distribution system 10 from each of the multiple terminal devices 30 to which the distribution video Vb is distributed. Note that the instruction data Qa may be sent from a terminal device 30 separate from the terminal device 30 that displays the distribution video Vb. In other words, the terminal device 30 equipped with the display control unit 311 and the terminal device 30 equipped with the instruction accepting unit 312 and the instruction sending unit 313 may be separate devices.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a video distribution system 10. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the video distribution system 10 includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, and a communication device 13. The video distribution system 10 may be realized as a single device, or may be realized as multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0043] The control device 11 is configured, for example, by one or more processors that control each element of the video distribution system 10. Specifically, the control device 11 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC.

[0044] The storage device 12 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 11 and various data used by the control device 11. 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 12.

[0045] The communication device 13 communicates with the game system 20 via the communication network 200. Specifically, the communication device 13 receives video data Da representing a play video Va from the game system 20, and transmits condition data Qb representing setting conditions Cb applied to the competitive game to the game system 20. The communication device 13 also communicates with each of the multiple terminal devices 30 via the communication network 200. Specifically, the communication device 13 transmits video data Db representing a distribution video Vb to the multiple terminal devices 30, and receives instruction data Qa representing instruction conditions Ca from the multiple terminal devices 30.

[0046] 4, the control device 11 of the video distribution system 10 realizes multiple functions (video distribution unit 111, condition setting unit 112, and condition notification unit 113) by executing a program stored in the storage device 12. The device including the video distribution unit 111 and the device including the condition setting unit 112 and the condition notification unit 113 may be configured as separate entities.

[0047] The video distribution unit 111 distributes the distribution video Vb to multiple terminal devices 30. Specifically, the video distribution unit 111 generates video data Db representing the distribution video Vb and transmits the video data Db from the communication device 13 to each of the multiple terminal devices 30. The video distribution unit 111 generates video data Db of the distribution video Vb, which includes a gameplay video Va represented by video data Da received by the communication device 13 from the game system 20 and a related video Vc recorded by a recording system (not shown). The recording system captures, for example, a video Vc1 of player P1 and a video Vc2 of player P2.

[0048] The condition setting unit 112 sets setting conditions Cb to be applied to the fighting game in accordance with instruction data Qa received by the communication device 13 from the multiple terminal devices 30. Specifically, the condition setting unit 112 sets the setting conditions Cb in accordance with the result of aggregating the instruction data Qa received from the multiple terminal devices 30 (i.e., instructions from the users U). For example, the condition setting unit 112 sets, as the setting condition Cb, the action that has the largest total number of instructions from the users U, among multiple actions that the character O in the fighting game can perform. In other words, the setting conditions Cb are set by majority vote of the multiple users U. As can be understood from the above explanation, the condition setting unit 112 sets the setting conditions Cb for the fighting game in accordance with instructions from the users U of the multiple terminal devices 30. The condition notification unit 113 notifies the game system 20 of the setting conditions Cb set by the condition setting unit 112. Specifically, the condition notification unit 113 transmits condition data Qb representing the setting conditions Cb from the communication device 13 to the game system 20.

[0049] 9 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the operations for setting the setting condition Cb executed by the information system 100 and the terminal device 30. Before the game system 20 starts a competitive game, the processing of FIG.

[0050] The instruction accepting unit 312 of the terminal device 30 displays the instruction accepting screen R1 on the display device 34 (Sa1) and accepts an instruction from the user U on the instruction accepting screen R1 (Sa2). Specifically, the instruction accepting unit 312 accepts the selection of the option r1 by the user U (i.e., the selection of the instruction condition Ca). The instruction transmitting unit 313 transmits instruction data Qa representing the instruction condition Ca accepted by the instruction accepting unit 312 from the communication device 33 to the video distribution system 10 (Sa3). The above operations are executed in each of the multiple terminal devices 30.

[0051] The condition setting unit 112 of the video distribution system 10 receives instruction data Qa transmitted from multiple terminal devices 30 via the communication device 13 (Sb1). The condition setting unit 112 sets setting conditions Cb from the multiple instruction data Qa (Sb2). That is, the setting conditions Cb are set in accordance with instructions from multiple users U. The condition notification unit 113 transmits condition data Qb representing the setting conditions Cb set by the condition setting unit 112 from the communication device 13 to the game system 20 (Sb3).

[0052] The condition determination unit 212 of the game system 20 receives the condition data Qb transmitted from the video distribution system 10 via the communication device 23 (Sc1). The condition determination unit 212 stores the setting condition Cb represented by the condition data Qb in the storage device 22 (Sc2). The operation related to setting the setting condition Cb is as described above.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a process (hereinafter referred to as "control process") Sd executed by the control device 21 of the game system 20 for a competitive game. After the setting conditions Cb are set by the process illustrated in Fig. 9, the control process Sd of Fig. 10 is started in response to an instruction from, for example, the administrator of the competitive game. When the control process Sd is started, the control device 21 (condition determination unit 212) acquires the setting conditions Cb from the storage device 22 (Sd11).

[0054] The control device 21 (game control unit 211) progresses the competitive game in response to instructions from player P1 or player P2 (Sd12). The control device 21 (condition determination unit 212) determines whether or not the set condition Cb is met for each of player P1 and player P2 (Sd13). If the set condition Cb is met (Sd13: YES), the control device 21 (condition determination unit 212) updates the number of times N (N1, N2) that the set condition Cb is met (Sd14). Specifically, if the set condition Cb is met for player P1, the control device 21 increases the number of times N1 that the set condition Cb is met, and if the set condition Cb is met for player P2, the control device 21 increases the number of times N2 that the set condition Cb is met. If the set condition Cb is not met for either player P1 or player P2 (Sd13: NO), the number of times N that the set condition is met is not updated.

[0055] The control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) determines whether the reward condition is met for each of player P1 and player P2 (Sd15). Specifically, the control device 21 determines whether the number of times N that the condition is met has reached a target value Z. The control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) grants a reward to player P for whom the reward condition is met (Sd16). The control device 21 of the first embodiment also grants a reward to users U among multiple users U who satisfy specific conditions. For example, a reward is granted to each user U who specified the set condition Cb. If the reward condition is not met (Sd15: NO), the reward is not granted. By granting a reward to users U who watch the distributed video Vb as described above, an incentive to participate in the competitive game (for example, an incentive to cheer on player P or an incentive for each user U to play the competitive game) can be provided to many users U.

[0056] The control device 21 (display control unit 214) causes the display device 25 of each game unit G to display a game play video Va that reflects the current state of the competitive game (Sd17). Specifically, the control device 21 generates video data Da of the current game play video Va and supplies the video data Da to the display device 25. The control device 21 (display control unit 214) transmits the video data Da representing the game play video Va displayed on the display device 25 from the communication device 23 to the video distribution system 10 (Sd18).

[0057] The control device 21 determines whether the competitive game has ended (Sd19). If the competitive game has not ended (Sd19: NO), the control device 21 proceeds to step Sd12. That is, the processes from step Sd12 to step Sd19 are repeated until the competitive game ends. If the competitive game has ended (Sd19: YES), the control device 21 ends the control process Sd.

[0058] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the specific steps of a process (hereinafter referred to as "distribution process") Se executed by the control device 11 of the video distribution system 10 to distribute a distribution video Vb. For example, the distribution process Se in FIG. 11 is started in response to an instruction from the operator of the video distribution system 10. The distribution process Se is executed in parallel with the progress of the competitive game (control process Sd).

[0059] When the distribution process Se is started, the control device 11 receives the video data Da transmitted from the game system 20 via the communication device 13 (Se1). The control device 11 (video distribution unit 111) generates a distribution video Vb by combining a gameplay video Va represented by the video data Da with a related video Vc separately acquired from the recording system (Se2). The control device 11 (video distribution unit 111) transmits video data Db representing the distribution video Vb from the communication device 13 to the multiple terminal devices 30 (Se3). The control device 31 of each terminal device 30 causes the display device 34 to display the distribution video Vb using the video data Db received by the communication device 33 from the video distribution system 10.

[0060] The control device 11 of the video distribution system 10 determines whether or not to end the distribution process Se (Se4). If the distribution process Se is not to be ended (Se4: NO), the control device 11 proceeds to step Se1. That is, the transmission of video data Db to each terminal device 30 (Se1 to Se3) is repeated. On the other hand, for example, when the transmission of video data Da by the game system 20 is ended, or when an instruction to end is received from the operator of the video distribution system 10, the control device 11 ends the distribution process Se (Se4: YES).

[0061] As described above, in the first embodiment, the users U of the terminal devices 30 not only passively watch the distributed video Vb but also can participate in setting the setting conditions Cb that are applied to the competitive game. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the users U of each terminal device 30 only watch the distributed video Vb, it is possible to encourage a large number of users U to watch the distributed video Vb.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the distributed video Vb including the reference image Va2 is displayed on the terminal device 30 of each user U. That is, the user U watching the distributed video Vb can check the reference image Va2, which indicates whether the set condition Cb in the competitive game has been met, along with the competitive game image Va1. Therefore, the effect of encouraging many users U to watch the distributed video Vb is particularly remarkable. Furthermore, the reference image Va2 includes the number of times N (N1, N2) that the set condition Cb has been met. Since the number of times N is met is updated in conjunction with the progress of the competitive game, there is also the advantage of providing many users U with an incentive to continue watching the distributed video Vb.

[0063] Furthermore, a fighting game image Va1 representing the status of the fighting game and a reference image Va2 relating to the result of determination regarding the set condition Cb are displayed to the players P (P1, P2) of the fighting game. Therefore, an incentive can be given to the players P to play the fighting game so that the set condition Cb is fulfilled. In particular, in the first embodiment, since the set condition Cb is set so that the character O operated by the player P in the fighting game executes a conditional action, an incentive can be given to the player P to operate the character O so as to execute a conditional action related to the set condition Cb.

[0064] In the first embodiment, when a reward condition including the set condition Cb is met, a reward is awarded to the player P. Therefore, an incentive to play the fighting game so that the set condition Cb is met can be given to the player P.

[0065] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in each of the following exemplary embodiments, for elements whose functions are similar to those of the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used and detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] 12 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video Va displayed on the display device 25 of each game unit G in the game system 20 of the second embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the gameplay video Va of the second embodiment is composed of the battle game image Va1 exemplified in the first embodiment. In other words, the gameplay video Va does not include a reference image Va2.

[0067] 13 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the information system 100 in the second embodiment. The display control unit 214 of the game system 20 supplies video data Da representing the gameplay video Va of FIG. 12 to each display device 25, thereby causing the display device 25 to display the gameplay video Va. The display control unit 214 also transmits the video data Da and determination data X to the video distribution system 10 via the communication device 23. The determination data X is data related to the result of the condition determination unit 212 determining the set condition Cb. Specifically, the determination data X represents the number of times N(N1, N2) that the set condition Cb is met.

[0068] In the distribution process Se, the control device 11 (video distribution unit 111) receives the video data Da and the judgment data X transmitted from the game system 20 (Se1). Then, the control device 11 (video distribution unit 111) generates a distribution video Vb by combining a gameplay video Va represented by the video data Da, a reference image Va2 corresponding to the judgment data X, and a related video Vc acquired from the recording system (Se2). Specifically, the control device 11 generates the reference image Va2 including the setting condition Cb set in accordance with instructions from multiple users U, the number of times N (N1, N2) that has been met represented by the judgment data X, and a predetermined target value Z. The video data Db representing the distribution video Vb generated in the above procedure is transmitted from the communication device 13 to each terminal device 30 (Se3).

[0069] As can be understood from the above explanation, the distribution video Vb displayed on the display device 34 of each terminal device 30 includes the reference image Va2 along with the competitive game image Va1, as in the first embodiment. That is, a user U watching the distribution video Vb can check the success or failure of the setting condition Cb in the competitive game along with the competitive game image Va1. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to encourage a large number of users U to watch the distribution video Vb. On the other hand, the display device 25 of the game system 20 displays a gameplay video Va (competitive game image Va1) that does not include the reference image Va2. This has the advantage that each player P can concentrate on playing the competitive game.

[0070] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, an item whose success or failure is not determined in the fighting game (specifically, the character O performing a conditional action) is exemplified as the setting condition Cb. The setting condition Cb in the third embodiment is an item that restricts the progress of the fighting game (i.e., a constraint condition). Specifically, the setting condition Cb in the third embodiment is to limit the actions of each character O in the fighting game to a specific conditional action. Note that prohibiting a conditional action may also be set as the setting condition Cb.

[0071] Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an information system 100 and a terminal device 30 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 14, the functional configuration of the terminal device 30 and the video distribution system 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The control device 21 of the game system 20 according to the third embodiment implements a game control unit 211, a reward granting unit 213, and a display control unit 214. In other words, the condition determination unit 212 according to the first embodiment is omitted in the third embodiment.

[0072] The operation for setting the setting condition Cb is the same as the operation in the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 9. Specifically, the instruction accepting unit 312 of each terminal device 30 accepts from the user U a selection of one of multiple options r1 displayed on the instruction accepting screen R1 (Sa1, Sa2). The selection of option r1 by the user U corresponds to instructing the action corresponding to the option r1 as an instruction condition Ca (condition action). The instruction sending unit 313 sends instruction data Qa representing the instruction condition Ca accepted from the user U from the communication device 33 to the video distribution system 10 (Sa3).

[0073] The condition setting unit 112 of the video distribution system 10 receives instruction data Qa transmitted from multiple terminal devices 30 via the communication device 13 (Sb1). The condition setting unit 112 sets a set condition Cb from the multiple instruction data Qa (Sb2). For example, the condition setting unit 112 sets, as the set condition Cb (condition action), the action that has the largest total number of instructions from the user U, among multiple actions that can be performed by the character O in the fighting game. The condition notification unit 113 transmits condition data Qb representing the set condition Cb set by the condition setting unit 112 from the communication device 13 to the game system 20 (Sb3).

[0074] The game control unit 211 of the game system 20 receives the condition data Qb transmitted from the video distribution system 10 via the communication device 23 (Sc1). The game control unit 211 stores the setting condition Cb represented by the condition data Qb in the storage device 22 (Sc2). The operation related to setting the setting condition Cb is as described above.

[0075] 15 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the control process Sd in the third embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the control process Sd is started after the setting condition Cb is set. When the control process Sd is started, the control device 21 (condition determination unit 212) acquires the setting condition Cb from the storage device 22 (Sd21).

[0076] The control device 21 (game control unit 211) progresses the battle game in response to instructions from the player P1 or the player P2 (Sd22). The control device 21 of the third embodiment progresses the battle game under the set condition Cb. That is, the character O is prohibited from performing actions other than the condition actions. Specifically, the control device 21 sets the condition actions to the players. P If a command is given, the character O is made to execute the conditional action, but if the player P commands an action other than the conditional action, the command is ignored.

[0077] The control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) determines whether the reward condition is met for each of player P1 and player P2 (Sd23). The reward condition in the third embodiment is a predetermined condition premised on the set condition Cb. Specifically, the reward condition is set to be a victory over an opponent in a competitive game under the set condition Cb. If either player P wins the competitive game that progresses under the set condition Cb, the determination result in step Sd23 becomes positive. The control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) grants a reward to player P for whom the reward condition is met (Sd24). For example, a predetermined amount of points is granted to player P. On the other hand, if the reward condition is not met (Sd23: NO), the reward is not granted.

[0078] The control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) also grants a reward to each of the multiple users U, as in the first embodiment. For example, when the reward condition is met, the reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to one or more users U who specified the set condition Cb among the multiple users U. Specifically, a predetermined value is added to the number of points M held by each user U who specified the set condition Cb. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to provide an incentive to many users U to participate in a competitive game. It is also possible to envision a configuration in which a reward is granted to all users U who specified the set condition Cb, regardless of whether the reward condition is met.

[0079] As in the first embodiment, each user U may specify the reward to be granted to a player P when the reward condition is met. Specifically, the reward granting unit 213 determines the type or quantity of reward to be granted to a player P when the reward condition is met in response to instructions from multiple users U. For example, a configuration is envisaged in which the type of reward is determined by majority vote among multiple users U, or a configuration in which a representative value (e.g., average value) of the quantities specified by multiple users U is determined as the reward amount. Furthermore, the reward to be granted to each user U may be determined in response to instructions from multiple users U, similar to the reward for each player P.

[0080] The control device 21 (display control unit 214) causes each display device 25 to display a gameplay moving image Va that reflects the current state of the competitive game (Sd25). Specifically, the control device 21 generates moving image data Da of the current gameplay moving image Va and supplies the moving image data Da to the display device 25.

[0081] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a gameplay video Va in the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the gameplay video Va in the third embodiment is an image including a battle game image Va1 and a reference image Va2. As in the first embodiment, the battle game image Va1 is a video representing the status of the battle game and includes characters O1 and O2 arranged in a virtual space. On the other hand, the reference image Va2 is an image related to the set conditions Cb. Specifically, reward conditions including the set conditions Cb (conditional actions) in accordance with instructions from the user U are displayed on the display device 25 as the reference image Va2. As illustrated above, the display control unit 214 in the third embodiment displays the battle game image Va1 representing the status of the battle game and the reference image Va2 representing the set conditions Cb (constraint conditions) to each player P. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment, in which the gameplay video Va does not include the reference image Va2, may be applied to the third embodiment. The type or quantity of rewards awarded to each player P may also be displayed in the reference image Va2. By displaying the reward in the gameplay video Va, each player P can be given an incentive to aim for good results even under the constraints related to the set conditions Cb.

[0082] The control device 21 (display control unit 214) transmits video data Da representing the gameplay video Va to be displayed on the display device 25 from the communication device 23 to the video distribution system 10 (Sd26). That is, the video data Da of the gameplay video Va including the competitive game image Va1 and the reference image Va2 is transmitted to the video distribution system 10. The control device 21 determines whether the competitive game has ended (Sd27). If the competitive game has not ended (Sd27: NO), the control device 21 proceeds to step Sd22. That is, the processes from step Sd22 to step Sd27 are repeated until the competitive game ends. If the competitive game has ended (Sd27: YES), the control device 21 ends the control process Sd.

[0083] The delivery process Se executed by the video delivery system 10 has the same procedure as the delivery process Se of the first embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 11. That is, video data Db of a delivery video Vb including a play video Va and a related video Vc is transmitted from the video delivery system 10 to each terminal device 30. The control device 31 of each terminal device 30 uses the video data Db received by the communication device 33 from the video delivery system 10 to display the delivery video Vb on the display device 34.

[0084] 17 is a schematic diagram of a distribution video Vb in the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the distribution video Vb in the third embodiment includes a gameplay video Va and a related video Vc. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the gameplay video Va includes a fighting game image Va1 that represents the situation of the fighting game and a reference image Va2 that represents the setting condition Cb (constraint condition). The related video Vc is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0085] As described above, in the third embodiment, the user U of the terminal device 30 not only passively watches the distributed video Vb but also can participate in setting the setting conditions Cb applied to the competitive game. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to encourage a large number of users U to watch the distributed video Vb.

[0086] No. 3In the embodiment, the distribution video Vb including the reference image Va2 is displayed on the terminal device 30 of each user U. That is, the user U watching the distribution video Vb can check the constraints (reference image Va2) in the competitive game together with the competitive game image Va1. Therefore, the effect of encouraging a large number of users U to watch the distribution video Vb is particularly remarkable.

[0087] Furthermore, a competitive game image Va1 representing the status of the competitive game and a reference image Va2 representing the set conditions Cb are displayed to the players P (P1, P2) of the competitive game. Therefore, each player P can check the set conditions Cb (constraint conditions) according to instructions from the user U while playing the competitive game. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a reward is awarded to the player P when a reward condition premised on the set conditions Cb is met. Therefore, an incentive to play the competitive game under the set conditions Cb can be given to the player P.

[0088] [Fourth embodiment] In the above-described embodiments, the reward granting unit 213 grants a predetermined amount of points as a reward to the player P when the reward condition is met (Sd15: YES, Sd23: YES). The reward granting unit 213 of the fourth embodiment grants a reward to the player P according to instructions from multiple users U. Specifically, the player P is granted a quantity of points according to instructions from the users U (hereinafter referred to as "reward amount").

[0089] The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The instruction receiving unit 312 of the terminal device 30 causes the display device 34 to display an image (hereinafter referred to as "instruction receiving screen") R2 for the user U to indicate the amount of reward, in addition to the instruction receiving screen R1 similar to that of the first embodiment (Sa1).

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the instruction receiving screen R2 displays multiple options r2 corresponding to different reward amounts. The user U can select one of the multiple options r2 by operating the operation device 35. The instruction receiving unit 312 receives the user U's selection of option r1 (i.e., selection of instruction condition Ca) and selection of option r2 (reward amount instruction) (Sa2). The instruction sending unit 313 sends instruction data Qa representing the instruction condition Ca and reward amount received by the instruction receiving unit 312 from the communication device 33 to the video distribution system 10 (Sa3). Note that a configuration in which the user U can specify the reward amount numerically is also envisioned.

[0091] The condition setting unit 112 of the video distribution system 10 receives instruction data Qa transmitted from multiple terminal devices 30 via the communication device 13 (Sb1). The condition setting unit 112 sets a set condition Cb and a reward amount using the multiple instruction data Qa (Sb2). The method for setting the set condition Cb is the same as in the first embodiment. The condition setting unit 112 also sets the reward amount to be actually applied to the competitive game based on the result of tallying the reward amounts indicated by each user U. Specifically, the condition setting unit 112 determines the reward amount with the largest total number of instructions from the users U as the reward amount to be actually applied to the competitive game. In other words, the reward amount is set by majority vote of the multiple users U. The condition notification unit 113 notifies the game system 20 of the set condition Cb and reward amount set by the condition setting unit 112 (Sb3). Specifically, the condition notification unit 113 transmits condition data Qb representing the set condition Cb and the reward amount from the communication device 13 to the game system 20. The condition data Qb is received by the communication device 23 (Sc1), and the set condition Cb and the reward amount represented by the condition data Qb are stored in the storage device 22 (Sc2).

[0092] If the reward condition is met (Sd15: YES, Sd23: YES) in the control process Sd (FIGS. 10 and 15), the control device 21 (reward granting unit 213) grants points corresponding to the reward amount stored in the storage device 22 to the player P (Sd16, Sd24). That is, the reward granting unit 213 grants rewards to the player P according to instructions from multiple users U.

[0093] The fourth embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first or third embodiment. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the user U of the terminal device 30 can be involved in setting the reward to be given to the player P. Therefore, the effect of encouraging a large number of users U to watch the distribution video Vb is particularly remarkable.

[0094] [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.

[0095] (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the setting condition Cb is set by majority vote of multiple users U, but the specific method of setting the setting condition Cb in response to instructions from users U is not limited to the above examples. For example, the setting condition Cb may be set in response to instructions from one or more users U selected from the multiple users U according to a predetermined rule or randomly. The setting condition Cb may also be set in response to instructions from one or more users U who satisfy predetermined conditions from the multiple users U. The video distribution system 10 may notify the terminal device 30 of each user U of the name of the user U selected as the setter of the setting condition Cb (i.e., the representative of the multiple users U).

[0096] (2) The reward granting unit 213 may use any method to determine the reward to be granted to each player P or each user U in response to instructions from multiple users U. For example, it may determine the type or quantity of reward in response to an instruction from the earliest user U among the multiple users U, or it may determine the quantity of reward as the cumulative value of the quantities instructed by multiple users U.

[0097] (3) In the first embodiment, the set condition Cb relating to one type of condition action is exemplified, but the set condition Cb may include a plurality of condition actions. That is, the set condition Cb is set so that the character O executes one of a plurality of condition actions in a fighting game. The condition determination unit 212 determines whether each of the plurality of condition actions relating to the set condition Cb is successful. The condition setting unit 112 may set a plurality of set conditions Cb corresponding to different condition actions. The condition determination unit 212 determines whether each of the plurality of set conditions Cb is successful.

[0098] Similarly, in the third embodiment, the set condition Cb may include multiple condition actions. The game control unit 211 progresses the fighting game under the set condition Cb that limits the actions of each character O to multiple condition actions. The condition setting unit 112 may set multiple set conditions Cb corresponding to different condition actions. The game control unit 211 progresses the fighting game under multiple set conditions Cb. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, an example has been given in which actions other than the condition action are prohibited. However, a configuration in which actions other than the condition action are permitted and the reward granting unit 213 determines that the reward condition is not met when an action other than the condition action is executed is also envisioned.

[0099] (4) In the above-described embodiments, a common setting condition Cb is set for player P1 and player P2. However, a separate setting condition Cb may be set for each of player P1 and player P2. That is, the setting condition Cb for player P1 may be different from the setting condition Cb for player P2. Each user U instructs the instruction condition Ca for each of player P1 and player P2.

[0100] (5) In the above-described embodiments, the number of times N1 the set condition is met by player P1 and the number of times N2 the set condition is met by player P2 are counted separately, but the number of times the set condition Cb is met for either player P1 or player P2 may be counted as the number of times N the set condition is met. In other words, the number of times N the set condition is met is the sum of the number of times N1 the set condition is met for player P1 and the number of times N2 the set condition is met for player P2.

[0101] (6) In the first embodiment, a special effect may be output when the setting condition Cb is met. For example, when the setting condition Cb is met, the control device 21 of the game system 20 causes the display device 25 to display a specific effect image E, as illustrated in FIG. 19. The effect image E is an image that represents the awarding of a reward (points) to the player P. Furthermore, when the setting condition Cb is met, the control device 21 may cause the sound emitting device to play a specific sound effect. Similarly, when the setting condition Cb is met, the control device 31 of the terminal device 30 causes the display device 34 to display a predetermined effect image and the sound emitting device to play a predetermined sound effect.

[0102] (7) In the above-described embodiments, the gameplay video Va displayed on the game system 20 and the distribution video Vb displayed on the terminal device 30 are different from each other, but the gameplay video Va may be displayed as the distribution video Vb on the terminal device 30. In other words, the gameplay video Va and the distribution video Vb may be the same.

[0103] (8) A reward may be given to a player P when a reward condition is met in exchange for the consumption of a predetermined amount of a medium of value owned by each user U. The medium of value may be, for example, currency (e.g., electronic money) or points. Points may include, for example, prepaid points that a user U acquires in advance by consuming currency. The instruction condition Ca and the instruction of the reward amount are permitted on the condition that a payment process is completed in which the user U consumes a predetermined amount of currency or points. In other words, the reward for a player P may be realized as a tip (donation or support) from each user U.

[0104] (9) In the above-described embodiments, points are exemplified as the reward granted to each player P, but the type of reward is not limited to these examples. For example, an item that can be used in a competitive game or the right to participate in a specific event in a competitive game may be granted to a player P as a reward when the reward condition is met. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the quantity of reward (reward amount) granted to a player P when the reward condition is met is set in accordance with instructions from each user U, but the items that are set in accordance with instructions from each user U are not limited to the reward amount. For example, the type of reward may be set in accordance with instructions from the user U of each terminal device 30.

[0105] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the video distribution system 10 includes the video distribution unit 111, the condition setting unit 112, and the condition notification unit 113, and the game system 20 includes the game control unit 211, the condition determination unit 212, the reward granting unit 213, and the display control unit 214. However, the locations where each element is installed are not limited to the above examples. For example, a configuration in which the condition setting unit 112 is installed in the game system 20, or a configuration in which the condition determination unit 212 or the reward granting unit 213 is installed in the video distribution system 10 is also possible.

[0106] (11) In the above-described embodiments, a competitive game in which player P1 and player P2 compete against each other has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applicable to any type of game. For example, the present invention is applicable to any game, such as a lottery game in which a lottery process such as a physical lottery or an electronic lottery is executed, a competitive game in which multiple players P compete in, for example, a sports or board game, a music game in which player P moves in time with music, an action game in which player P controls character O to achieve various objectives, or an exploration game in which player P controls character O to explore various locations. As can be understood from the above examples, the number of players P in a game to which the present invention is applicable is arbitrary. In other words, the present invention is applicable to games in which multiple players P compete against or cooperate with each other, as well as games played by a single player P.

[0107] (12) In the first embodiment, the setting condition Cb is exemplified as the character O performing a conditional action. However, the content of the setting condition Cb is not limited to the above example and is appropriately selected depending on the type or content of the game. For example, any matter whose success or failure is not determined in the game (i.e., matter whose success or failure changes as the game progresses) can be set as the setting condition Cb, such as winning a specific prize in a lottery game, the occurrence of a specific event (e.g., a score) in a competitive game, the perfect matching of the player P's actions at a specific time in a music game, the character O performing a specific action in an action game, the appearance of a specific character or item in a search game, or the player P selecting a specific option from multiple options. As can be understood from the above examples, it is not essential that the setting condition Cb be a condition related to the character O.

[0108] (13) In the third embodiment, the setting condition Cb (constraint condition) is exemplified as limiting the actions of character O to specific condition actions. However, the content of the setting condition Cb is not limited to the above example and is appropriately selected depending on the type or content of the game. For example, any matter that restricts the progress of the game can be set as the setting condition Cb, such as limiting the number of lottery processes in a lottery game, limiting the virtual environment in which the game unfolds (e.g., the competition venue) in a competitive game, limiting the music played in a music game, limiting the time required to achieve a predetermined objective in an action game, limiting the items that can be used in a search game, or limiting the selection of a specific option from among multiple options. For example, an example of the setting condition Cb is limiting the types of pitches that a pitcher can throw in a baseball game to a specific type of pitch (e.g., a straight pitch). As can be understood from the above example, it is not essential that the setting condition Cb be a condition related to character O.

[0109] (14) In the above-described embodiments, the setting condition Cb is set in response to an instruction from the user U of each terminal device 30. However, the setting condition Cb may also be set in response to an instruction from an administrator who manages a competitive game event. Similarly, the reward to be granted to the player P may also be set in response to an instruction from the administrator instead of the user U. In a configuration in which the administrator sets the reward, when the reward condition is met, the reward granting unit 213 may grant a reward to the user U in addition to the player P.

[0110] (15) In the above-described embodiments, video data Db representing the distribution video Vb is transmitted from the video distribution system 10 to the terminal device 30. However, the content of the video data Db is not limited to the above examples. For example, video data Db representing the details of operations performed by each player P (so-called replay data) may be transmitted from the video distribution system 10 to the terminal device 30. The control device 31 of the terminal device 30 reproduces the gameplay video Va through processing similar to the game control (Sd12, Sd22) executed by the control device 21 of the game system 20, and displays the distribution video Vb including the gameplay video Va on the display device 34. As can be understood from the above examples, the distribution of the distribution video Vb refers to the processing in which the terminal device 30 transmits video data Db capable of displaying the distribution video Vb to the terminal device 30, and the format of the video data Db is arbitrary. In other words, in addition to data directly representing the gameplay video Va as in the above-described embodiments, the concept of video data Db also encompasses replay data representing the details of operations performed by the player P.

[0111] It is also possible for the video data Db to represent elements that make up the distribution video Vb or the position of each element. The display control unit 311 of the terminal device 30 generates the distribution video Vb using the video data Db and displays the distribution video Vb on the display device 34. A portion of the distribution video Vb may also be stored in the storage device 32 of the terminal device 30. The display control unit 311 generates the distribution video Vb by adding an image stored in the storage device 32 to the video represented by the video data Db and displays the distribution video Vb on the display device 34.

[0112] As can be understood from the above explanation, the video data Db (Da) is comprehensively expressed as data for displaying the distribution video Vb on the display device 34. That is, in addition to data representing the distribution video Vb itself, the concept of video data Db also encompasses data used in processing for displaying the distribution video Vb (for example, data used to generate the distribution video Vb).

[0113] (16) In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration is also envisioned in which each player P can reject the application of the setting conditions Cb set in response to instructions from each user U to the game. Each player P can choose to accept or reject the setting conditions Cb by operating the operation device 24. If the player P rejects the setting conditions Cb, the game control unit 211 proceeds with the game in a state in which the setting conditions Cb are invalidated. That is, in the first embodiment, the determination of whether the setting conditions Cb are met is not performed, and in the third embodiment, the game proceeds without any constraints imposed by the setting conditions Cb. Furthermore, if the player P accepts the setting conditions Cb, the reward granting unit 213 grants a reward to the player P when the reward conditions are met. However, if the player P rejects the setting conditions Cb, the reward granting unit 213 does not grant a reward to the player P even when the reward conditions are met. This configuration allows for negotiation between the user U involved in setting the setting conditions Cb and the player P aiming to obtain a reward.

[0114] (17) In the above-described embodiments, examples have been given in which rewards are awarded to both player P and user U. However, configurations in which rewards are awarded to only one of player P and user U are also contemplated. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, examples have been given in which the same type of reward (points) is awarded to player P and user U. However, the type of reward awarded to player P may differ from the type of reward awarded to user U. For example, points that are consumed to play a competitive game or acquire items in a competitive game are awarded to player P, and points that are consumed to watch videos distributed by video distribution system 10 are awarded to user U. The points awarded to user U may be consumed, for example, to watch a specific video, purchase items related to the video, or provide points to performers in the video (so-called tips).

[0115] (18) The functions of the information system 100 according to each of the above-described embodiments are realized by cooperation between one or more processors (control device 11, control device 21) and a program. The program 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, such as an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM, but 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, the storage device that stores the program in the distribution device corresponds to the non-transitory recording medium described above.

[0116] [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.

[0117] [Appendix A1] An information system (100) according to one aspect of the present invention (Supplementary Note 1) includes a video distribution unit (111) that distributes a distribution video (Vb) including a game image (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to a plurality of terminal devices (30); a condition setting unit (112) that sets a setting condition (Cb) for the game in response to an instruction from a user (U) of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices (30); a game control unit (211) that controls the game; and a condition determination unit (212) that determines whether the setting condition (Cb) for the game is met. With this configuration, the user (U) of the terminal device (30) not only watches the distribution video (Vb) of the game but also can participate in setting the setting condition (Cb) applied to the game. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the user (U) of each terminal device (30) only watches the distribution video (Vb), viewing of the distribution video (Vb) by a large number of users (U) can be promoted.

[0118] The type of "game" is arbitrary. For example, the present invention can be applied to any type of game, regardless of the number or relationships of the players (P), such as a game in which multiple players (P) compete against each other, a game in which multiple players (P) aim to achieve a common goal, or a game in which one player (P) aims to achieve a predetermined goal.

[0119] The "distributed video (Vb)" is any image that allows a user (U) viewing the video to understand the situation of the game. Typically, a distributed video (Vb) similar to the gameplay video (Va) viewed by the player (P) is distributed to the terminal device (30), but the gameplay video (Va) viewed by the player (P) and the distributed video (Vb) distributed to the terminal device (30) do not need to match.

[0120] "Setting conditions (Cb)" encompass matters whose success or failure is not determined in the game (i.e., matters whose success or failure changes as the game progresses) and matters that restrict the progress of the game (i.e., constraint conditions). The former setting conditions (Cb) include, for example, the occurrence of a specific event in the game. A specific event is, for example, a character (O) appearing in the game performing a specific action (e.g., a special move), or the occurrence of a specific situation as the game progresses. The latter setting conditions (Cb) include, for example, constraints on the actions of a character (O) appearing in the game, constraints on items used in the game, or time constraints on the progress of the game (e.g., a time limit for achieving a specific objective).

[0121] The specific method for setting the setting condition (Cb) in response to an instruction from a user (U) of the terminal device (30) is arbitrary. For example, the condition setting unit (112) sets the setting condition (Cb) in response to the result of tallying up instructions from multiple users (U). For example, it is assumed that, from multiple conditions prepared in advance, the condition that is specified by the largest number of users (U) is selected as the setting condition (Cb) (i.e., by majority vote). Alternatively, the setting condition (Cb) may be set in response to an instruction from one or more users (U) who satisfy a specific condition among the multiple users (U).

[0122] The "information system (100)" may be composed of one or more devices. For example, the information system (100) may include a video distribution system (10) and a game system (20). The video distribution system (10) may include a video distribution unit (111) and a condition setting unit (112), and the game system (20) may include a game control unit (211) and a condition determination unit (212). However, functional distinction between the video distribution system (10) and the game system (20) is not essential. For example, the information system (100) may be composed of a single device. It is also possible to configure the game system (20) to include the condition setting unit (112), or the video distribution system (10) to include the condition determination unit (212).

[0123] [Appendix A2] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A2) of Appendix A1, the distributed video (Vb) includes a reference image (Va2) related to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit (212). According to the above configuration, a user (U) using a terminal device (30) to watch the distributed video (Vb) can check the reference image (Va2) related to the success or failure of the set condition (Cb) together with the game image (Va1). Therefore, the effect of encouraging a large number of users (U) to watch the distributed video (Vb) is particularly remarkable.

[0124] The "reference image (Va2)" is any image that changes depending on the result of determining whether the set condition (Cb) is met, such as an image that directly indicates whether the set condition (Cb) is met or an image that indicates the number of times the set condition (Cb) is met. The determination of whether the set condition (Cb) is met is typically performed by the game system (20), but may also be performed by the video distribution system (10) or another computer system.

[0125] [Appendix A3] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A3) of Appendix A2, the reference image (Va2) includes the number of times the set condition (Cb) is met. According to the above configuration, the reference image (Va2) including the number of times the set condition (Cb) is met is displayed on the terminal device (30). Therefore, it is possible to provide many users (U) with an incentive to continue watching the distributed video (Vb).

[0126] [Appendix A4] An information system (100) according to any one of specific examples (Supplementary Note A4) of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A3 includes a display control unit (214) that displays a game image (Va1) representing the game situation and a reference image (Va2) relating to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit (212) to the one or more players (P). With the above configuration, the player (P) can check whether a set condition (Cb) set in response to an instruction from the user (U) is met while playing the game. Therefore, an incentive can be given to the player (P) to play the game so that the set condition (Cb) is met.

[0127] [Appendix A5] In a specific example (Supplementary Note A5) of any of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A4, the set condition (Cb) is that a character (O) operated by one or more players (P) in the game executes a specific action. With the above configuration, an incentive can be given to the player (P) to operate the character (O) so as to execute the specific action related to the set condition (Cb).

[0128] [Appendix A6] The information system (100) according to any one of the specific examples (Supplementary Note A6) of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A5 includes a reward granting unit (213) that grants a reward to the one or more players (P) when the reward condition, including the fulfillment of the set condition (Cb), is fulfilled for the one or more players (P). According to the above configuration, a reward is granted to the player (P) for whom the reward condition is fulfilled. Therefore, an incentive to play the game so that the set condition (Cb) is fulfilled can be given to the player (P).

[0129] [Appendix A7] In the specific example of Appendix A6 (Appendix A7), the reward granting unit 213 grants the reward set in response to an instruction from a user U of one or more of the terminal devices 30. With the above configuration, the user U of the terminal device 30 can be involved in setting the reward to be granted to the player P. Therefore, the effect of encouraging a large number of users U to watch the distributed video Vb is particularly significant.

[0130] [Appendix A8] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A8) distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to a plurality of terminal devices (30), while setting setting conditions (Cb) for the game in response to instructions from users (U) of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices (30), controlling the game, and determining whether the setting conditions (Cb) in the game are met.

[0131] [Appendix A9] A program according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A9) causes a computer system to function as a video distribution unit (111) that distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to a plurality of terminal devices (30), a condition setting unit (112) that sets setting conditions (Cb) related to the game in response to instructions from a user (U) of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices (30), a game control unit (211) that controls the game, and a condition determination unit (212) that determines whether the setting conditions (Cb) in the game are met.

[0132] [Appendix A10] A video distribution system (10) according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix A10) includes a video distribution unit (111) that distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game played by one or more players (P) using a game system (20) to a plurality of terminal devices (30), a condition setting unit (112) that sets setting conditions (Cb) related to the game in response to instructions from users (U) of one or more terminal devices (30) among the plurality of terminal devices (30), and a condition notification unit (113) that notifies the game system (20) of the setting conditions (Cb).

[0133] [Appendix B1] An information system (100) according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B1) includes a video distribution unit (111) that distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to multiple terminal devices (30); a condition setting unit (112) that sets constraints (Cb) related to the game in response to instructions from users (U) of one or more of the multiple terminal devices (30); and a game control unit (211) that progresses the game under the constraints (Cb). With this configuration, users (U) of terminal devices (30) can not only watch the distribution video (Vb) of the game but also participate in setting the constraints (Cb) applied to the game. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which users (U) of each terminal device (30) only watch the distribution video (Vb), viewing of the distribution video (Vb) by a large number of users (U) can be promoted.

[0134] A "constraint (Cb)" is something that restricts the progress of the game. For example, constraints on the actions of the characters (O) appearing in the game, constraints on the items used in the game, or time constraints on the progress of the game (for example, a time limit for achieving a specific objective) are specific examples of constraints (Cb).

[0135] The specific method for setting the constraint condition (Cb) in response to an instruction from a user (U) of the terminal device (30) is arbitrary. For example, the condition setting unit (112) sets the constraint condition (Cb) in response to the result of aggregating instructions from multiple users (U). For example, it is assumed that, from multiple conditions prepared in advance, the condition with the largest total number of instructions from users (U) is selected as the constraint condition (Cb) (i.e., majority vote). Alternatively, the constraint condition (Cb) may be set in response to instructions from one or more users (U) who satisfy a specific condition among the multiple users (U).

[0136] "Under the constraint (Cb)" means that the occurrence of any event (such as an action or state) that contradicts the constraint (Cb) is prohibited in the game. For example, if a constraint (Cb) is set for a character (O) appearing in a game in which multiple players (P) compete against each other, stating that "winning can only be achieved by a specific action," the game will proceed in a state in which the character (O) is prohibited from performing any action other than the specific action permitted by the constraint (Cb).

[0137] The "information system (100)" may be composed of one or more systems. For example, the information system (100) may include a video distribution system (10) and a game system (20). The video distribution system (10) may include a video distribution unit (111) and a condition setting unit (112), and the game system (20) may include a game control unit (211). However, functional distinction between the video distribution system (10) and the game system (20) is not essential. For example, the information system (100) may be composed of a single device. It is also possible for the game system (20) to include the condition setting unit (112).

[0138] [Appendix B2] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B2) of Appendix B1, the distributed video (Vb) includes a reference image (Va2) that represents the constraint (Cb). With the above configuration, a user (U) who watches the distributed video (Vb) using a terminal device (30) can confirm the constraint (Cb) together with the game image (Va1).

[0139] [Appendix B3] An information system (100) according to a specific example (Supplementary Note B3) of Supplementary Note B1 or Supplementary Note B2 includes a display control unit (214) that displays a game image (Va1) representing the game situation and a reference image (Va2) representing the constraints (Cb) to the one or more players (P). With the above configuration, the player (P) can check the constraints (Cb) set in response to instructions from the user (U) while playing the game.

[0140] [Appendix B4] The information system (100) according to any one of the specific examples (Supplementary Note B4) of Supplementary Note B1 to Supplementary Note B3 includes a reward granting unit (213) that grants a reward to the one or more players (P) when a predetermined reward condition is met under the constraint condition (Cb) for the one or more players (P). According to the above configuration, a reward is granted to the player (P) for whom the reward condition is met under the constraint condition (Cb). Therefore, an incentive to play the game under the constraint condition (Cb) can be given to the player (P).

[0141] [Appendix B5] In a specific example (Supplementary Note B5) of Appendix B4, the reward granting unit (213) grants the reward set in response to an instruction from a user (U) of one or more of the terminal devices (30). With the above configuration, the user (U) of the terminal device (30) can be involved in setting the reward to be granted to the player (P). Therefore, the effect of encouraging a large number of users (U) to watch the distributed video (Vb) is particularly significant.

[0142] [Appendix B6] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B6) distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to a plurality of terminal devices (30), while setting constraint conditions (Cb) for the game in response to instructions from users (U) of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices (30), and progressing the game under the constraint conditions (Cb).

[0143] [Appendix B7] A program according to one aspect of the present invention (Appendix B7) causes a computer system to function as a video distribution unit (111) that distributes a distribution video (Vb) including game images (Va1) representing the status of a game being played by one or more players (P) to a plurality of terminal devices (30), a condition setting unit (112) that sets constraint conditions (Cb) related to the game in response to instructions from users (U) of one or more terminal devices (30) among the plurality of terminal devices (30), and a game control unit (211) that progresses the game under the constraint conditions (Cb). [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 100...information system, 200...communication network, 10...video distribution system, 11, 21, 31...control device, 12, 22, 32...storage device, 13, 23, 33...communication device, 20...game system, 24, 35...operation device, 25, 34...display device, G (G1, G2)...game unit, 30...terminal device, 111...video distribution unit, 112...condition setting unit, 113...condition notification unit, 211...game control unit, 212...condition determination unit, 213...reward granting unit, 214...display control unit, 311...display control unit, 312...instruction receiving unit, 313...instruction sending unit.

Claims

1. a video distribution unit that transmits video data for displaying a distribution video including game images that represent the status of a game being played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices; a condition setting unit that sets a set condition, which is an event whose success or failure changes as the game progresses, in response to an instruction from a user of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices; a game control unit that controls the game; a condition determination unit that determines whether the set condition in the game is met; An information system that has the following:

2. The distribution video includes a reference image related to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit. The information system of claim 1.

3. The reference image includes the number of times the set condition is met. The information system of claim 2.

4. a display control unit that displays a game image representing the state of the game and a reference image relating to the result of the determination by the condition determination unit to the one or more players; 4. The information system according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. The set condition is that the characters operated by the one or more players in the game perform a specific action.

5. The information system according to claim 1.

6. a reward granting unit that grants a reward to the one or more players when a reward condition including the satisfaction of the set condition is satisfied for the one or more players; 6. The information system according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The reward granting unit grants the reward set in response to an instruction from a user of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices.

7. The information system of claim 6, comprising:

8. Transmitting video data for displaying a distribution video including game images showing the status of a game played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices, In response to an instruction from a user of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices, a setting condition is set, which is an item whose success or failure changes according to the progress of the game; Controlling the game; Determine whether the set conditions in the game are met. An information processing method implemented by a computer system.

9. a video distribution unit that transmits video data for displaying a distribution video including game images representing the status of a game played by one or more players to a plurality of terminal devices; a condition setting unit that sets a set condition, which is an event whose success or failure changes according to the progress of the game, in response to an instruction from a user of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices; a game control unit for controlling the game; and a condition determination unit that determines whether the set condition in the game is met; A program that makes a computer system function as a

10. a video distribution unit that transmits video data for displaying a distribution video including game images that represent the status of a game played by one or more players using the game system to a plurality of terminal devices; a condition setting unit that sets a set condition, which is an event whose success or failure changes as the game progresses, in response to an instruction from a user of one or more of the plurality of terminal devices; a condition notification unit that notifies the game system of the set condition; A video distribution system comprising:

Images