Reward system, program, and reward method

Abstract

To provide a privilege granting system and the like which are capable of imparting a privilege to a sponsor user and arousing an atmosphere in which an event is actively held by the sponsor user when the event held by the sponsor user is appropriately held.SOLUTION: Application information for applying for holding an event by a sponsor user is acquired, distribution information showing that implementation situations of the event whose application information is acquired can be distributed to a viewing user who satisfies a prescribed condition is acquired, and processing which grants a privilege to a user related to the event is performed on the basis of the distribution information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reward providing system, a program, and a reward providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, systems relating to events such as games in which a plurality of participants participate and spectator users watch event videos or the like via a notification network have been known.

[0003] In order to increase the motivation of the hosting user, some such systems perform a process of determining prizes to be offered to participating players who participate in a game event based on the event hosting items consumed by the hosting player of the game event (see Patent Document 1). Also, this system may offer a special benefit (e.g., a special prize) to the hosting user under certain conditions (see paragraph 0052 of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-54503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In systems such as those shown in the prior art, in order to encourage users to actively hold events, a special benefit may be given to a user who hosts an event.

[0006] However, there was a risk that unscrupulous users, wanting to obtain as many rewards as possible, would create a flood of meaningless events.

[0007] Additionally, the game operators can manually check whether the event held by the hosting user was actually conducted properly and grant rewards if there are no problems, but this process is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a reward system etc. that can reward a hosting user when an event hosted by the hosting user is conducted properly, thereby creating an atmosphere in which the hosting user is proactive in hosting events. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The present invention provides A reward granting system that executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event, The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; an application control unit that acquires application information for the host user to apply to host the event; a distribution information control unit that acquires distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy predetermined conditions; a reward granting unit that executes a process of granting the reward to a user related to the event based on the distribution information; The present invention relates to a reward granting system comprising:

[0010] The present invention also provides A program that causes a computer to perform a process of granting a benefit to a user related to an event, The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; an application control unit that acquires application information for the host user to apply to host the event; a distribution information control unit that acquires distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy predetermined conditions; The present invention relates to a program that causes a computer to function as a reward granting unit that executes a process of granting the reward to a user related to the event based on the distribution information.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium that stores a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-mentioned units.

[0012] According to the present invention, a benefit is given to a user related to an event based on distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy predetermined conditions, so that if an event held by a host user is properly conducted, a benefit can be given to a user related to the event (e.g., the host user), thereby creating an atmosphere in which the host user actively holds the event.

[0013] (2) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The benefit granting unit The content of the benefit may be changed depending on the predetermined condition.

[0014] According to the present invention, the content of the benefit is changed in accordance with predetermined conditions, so that the content of the benefit can be determined taking into consideration the type of viewing users to whom the content is made available for distribution.

[0015] (3) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, a monitoring control unit that acquires the distribution information from a video distribution system and monitors whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate based on the distribution information; The benefit granting unit If it is determined based on the distribution information that the implementation status of the event is valid, a process of granting the benefit to a user related to the event may be executed.

[0016] According to the present invention, distribution information is acquired from a video distribution system, and based on the distribution information, the legitimacy of the event implementation status is monitored, so that it is possible to efficiently determine whether the event was properly conducted. If the event was properly conducted, a benefit can be granted to a user related to the event (e.g., the host user).

[0017] (4) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The event is The event may be a game event in which the participating user participates as a player.

[0018] According to the present invention, the event is a game event in which participating users participate as players, so it is possible to create an atmosphere in which the game event is actively held.

[0019] (5) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The benefit granting unit The process of granting the benefit may be executed based on the distribution information and the event identification information of the event for which application information for the event has been obtained.

[0020] According to the present invention, for example, when distribution information includes event identification information, it is possible to grant a bonus, etc., so that it is possible to correctly determine whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate and to appropriately grant a bonus to a user related to the event.

[0021] (6) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The distribution information is The application information may include at least one of image information showing the implementation status of the event for which the application information has been obtained and reproduction information that allows the image information to be reproduced on the terminal device of the viewing user.

[0022] According to the present invention, the process of granting benefits is performed based on image information and reproducibility information, so that it is possible to correctly determine whether the implementation status of an event is legitimate and appropriately grant benefits to users related to the event.

[0023] (7) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The distribution information is The implementation status of the event for which the application information for the event has been acquired includes public realization information indicating that the event has been publicly realized for the viewing user, The benefit granting unit A process of granting the privilege may be executed based on the disclosure realization information.

[0024] According to the present invention, the process of granting benefits is performed based on the public realization information, so that it is possible to correctly determine whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate and to appropriately grant benefits to users related to the event.

[0025] (8) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The distribution information is It may also include viewing information from the viewing user.

[0026] According to the present invention, viewing information influences the process of granting benefits, and therefore it is possible to further foster an atmosphere in which the hosting user actively holds the event.

[0027] (9) In addition, the reward system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention include: The benefit granting unit The process of providing the privilege may be executed based on the viewing information.

[0028] According to the present invention, the process of granting a benefit is executed based on the viewing information, so that the benefit can be granted by appropriately determining whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate.

[0029] (10) In addition, in the reward granting system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, The benefit granting unit A plurality of viewing conditions may be defined based on the viewing information, and a process of granting the privilege may be executed when at least one of the viewing conditions is met.

[0030] According to the present invention, viewing conditions can be varied, so that many users can have a chance to receive special benefits.

[0031] (11) In addition, the reward system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention include: The benefit granting unit A process of providing the benefit may be executed based on the content of the event.

[0032] According to the present invention, a process for granting benefits is executed based on the content of the event, so that benefits can be appropriately granted according to the content of the event, and furthermore, it is possible to create an atmosphere in which the event is actively held by the hosting user.

[0033] (12) In addition, the reward system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention include: The benefit granting unit The process of granting the benefit may be performed based on at least one of the number of participating users and the user information of the participating users.

[0034] According to the present invention, appropriate benefits can be awarded according to at least one of the number of users participating in the event and the user information of the participating users, and further, it is possible to create an atmosphere in which the event is actively held by the hosting user.

[0035] (13) In addition, the reward system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention include: The benefit granting unit A process may be executed to grant the benefit to at least one of the host user and the participating users.

[0036] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the motivation of at least one of the hosting user and the participating users, and further to foster an atmosphere in which the hosting user actively holds the event.

[0037] (14) In addition, the reward system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention include: The benefit granting unit It may be configured to determine whether the event satisfies the event holding condition, and if the event satisfies the event holding condition, to execute a process of granting the benefit to a user related to the event.

[0038] According to the present invention, when an event satisfies the event holding conditions, a process of granting a benefit is executed, which further makes it possible to foster an atmosphere in which the hosting user is proactive in holding the event.

[0039] (15) The present invention is A reward granting method in which a computer executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event, the method comprising: The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; acquiring application information for the host user to apply to host the event; acquiring distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy a predetermined condition; A process of granting the benefit to the user related to the event is performed based on the distribution information. and a step of performing the reward awarding method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of the provision of a benefit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the game server of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the privilege granting system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of application information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a video posted for an event according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of distribution information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of image information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a function of automatically collecting information about a video according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of tour result data according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a patrol process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing the flow of a benefit granting process according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0042] [1] Overview 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network system 1 related to the awarding of rewards according to this embodiment. The system 1 according to this embodiment is configured by a game server 10, user terminals 20 (e.g., terminals 20A, 20B, 20C), a reward awarding system 30, and a video distribution system 50, all connected via a network. Note that the system 1 may also include an event management system 40.

[0043] 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the provision of rewards in this embodiment. For example, the reward provision system 30 receives application information (hosting application information) for an event Ev1 of a game provided by the game server 10 from the terminal 20A of a user A who applies to host an event. By implementing this event Ev1, various users can participate, which can liven up the game provided by the game server 10. Note that the term "event" can also be referred to as a tournament.

[0044] The reward system 30 then rewards the user A who hosted the game event Ev1 with rewards such as points and items that can be used in the game provided by the game server 10, thereby motivating the user who wants to host an event.

[0045] That is, the benefit granting system 30 is a system that grants a benefit (event hosting benefit) to a user for hosting an event.

[0046] User A's terminal 20A transmits application information to the benefit granting system 30, including the account of the user hosting the event, the game ID (game name) of the event Ev1 to be held, the character ID (character name) to be used in the event, and the like.

[0047] In addition, if an event management system 40 that manages event application information is provided, The terminal 20A may transmit the application information to the benefit granting system 30 via the event management system 40. The event management system 40 may have a function of matching players with each other.

[0048] The privilege-granting system 30 then acquires the application information. That is, the privilege-granting system 30 receives information indicating what kind of user has applied for what kind of event. The privilege-granting system 30 may acquire the application information independently from the event management system 40, or may acquire (receive) the application information transmitted from the terminal 20A or the event management system 40.

[0049] Then, when the time for the event Ev1 to be held arrives, the event Ev1 is held. For example, in the case of a game event, a game provided by the game server 10 is executed.

[0050] Here, the reward granting system 30 cannot recognize whether the event Ev1 has actually been held. Therefore, the reward granting system 30 receives implementation result report information indicating that the event Ev1 has been held from the terminal 20A of the hosting user A or the video distribution system 50. Then, if the implementation status of the event Ev1 is valid, the reward granting system 30 grants a reward to the hosting user A.

[0051] The implementation result report information may be any evidence information that indicates that the event Ev1 has been implemented, but in this embodiment, "distribution information" is used.

[0052] The "distribution information" is, for example, information (for example, a URL and / or a link to the URL) indicating that the implementation status of the event Ev1 has been made available for distribution to viewing users.

[0053] For example, the benefit granting system 30 acquires from the terminal 20A of the organizer user A a URL for accessing a video (a video showing the implementation status of the event Ev1 in the video distribution system 50).

[0054] In other words, event organizer user A can prove that the event was actually held by distributing a video of the event being held using video distribution system 50.

[0055] The game operators can manually access the video distribution system 50 website using the distribution information indicating that event Ev1 has been held and visually check whether event Ev1 has actually been held. However, if there are a large number of events, such as 10,000, this process becomes laborious and time-consuming.

[0056] Therefore, the privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment determines whether or not the event has actually been held based on the distribution information.

[0057] Then, when it is determined that the implementation status of the event Ev1 is legitimate based on the distribution information, the reward granting system 30 grants a reward to a user related to the event (for example, the organizer user A).

[0058] Furthermore, in such systems, there are many users who hold events among their friends in an attempt to obtain unfairly large amounts of benefits.

[0059] However, in the present embodiment, the privilege granting system 30 does not allow the video of the event implementation status to be sent to the viewing user. When the event server 100 acquires distribution information (e.g., a URL) indicating that the event has been made available for distribution to a user (e.g., user X1), it determines whether to grant a benefit based on the distribution information. This viewing user is a user who meets a predetermined condition, such as a user other than the host user A of event Ev1 or a participating user (e.g., users B and C). This can encourage the holding of events that can be enjoyed not only among friends but also by many people who do not know each other, and further encourages the holding of events that can be made public by third parties.

[0060] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to create an atmosphere in which the hosting user actively holds an event.

[0061] [2] Game system explanation Next, the outline and general configuration of the game system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] The game system of this embodiment is made up of a game server 10 and a terminal 20.

[0063] The game server 10 is an information processing device capable of providing a given service to a terminal device (game device) 20 connected for communication via the Internet (an example of a network).

[0064] The terminal 20 is an information processing device such as a terminal device, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, computer, terminal device, PDA, portable game console, image generating device, etc., and is an information processing device that can be connected to the game server 10 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or LAN.

[0065] [2.1] Game system based on a client-server model As shown in FIG. 3, the game system of this embodiment may be configured such that a game server 10 and terminals 20 (for example, terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C) are connectable to the Internet (an example of a network).

[0066] By accessing the game server 10 from the terminal 20, the user can play the game based on information transmitted from the game server 10 via the Internet.

[0067] In this embodiment, each game may be provided to the terminal 20 by one game server 10, or a server system may be constructed by linking a plurality of game servers 10, and each game may be provided to the terminal 20.

[0068] It should be noted that the various processes relating to the present invention may be performed only by the game server 10, or may be performed only by the terminal 20.

[0069] [2.2] Terminal equipment The game system of this embodiment may be realized by a single terminal 20 having the functions of the game server 10, that is, a device (standalone) that operates independently without relying on other devices such as a server device.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the present invention may be realized by the terminal 20 alone, without connecting to the game server 10. For example, the present invention may be realized by a plurality of terminals 20 through P2P (peer-to-peer) communication.

[0071] A plurality of such terminal devices may be connected by wire or wirelessly, and one terminal device may function as a host (game server 10), and the game may be realized by the plurality of terminal devices.

[0072] The terminal 20 is not limited to a portable terminal device or a smartphone, but may also be a tablet information terminal device, a personal computer, or a terminal device (casing) installed in an amusement park.

[0073] [2.3] Cloud-based game system The game system of this embodiment may also be a cloud-based game system. For example, in a cloud-based game system, basic processing (including game processing, drawing processing, etc.) is performed solely by the game server 10 (cloud device), and the terminal 20 only controls the display of the processing results of the game server 10 (cloud device). Furthermore, the terminal 20 only transmits information such as input information from the controller to the game server 10. In this case, the terminal 20 may also transmit information other than the input information.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, except for input, each function of the processing unit 200 of the above-mentioned terminal 20 and the execution of the game program may be executed by the game server 10, and the terminal 20 may realize the above-mentioned game by executing input and image display by streaming.

[0075] Furthermore, the game system may store the information stored in the game server 10 and the information stored in the terminal 20 in a given storage area on the Internet.

[0076] [2.4] Terminal device with multiple controllers In this embodiment, one terminal 20 may be equipped with multiple controllers (input units 260). When multiple users play a game using their own controllers on one terminal 20, it is assumed that the multiple users are actually close to each other.

[0077] [2.5] Examples of social games In addition, in this embodiment, the SNS server may function as an SNS server that provides a communication-type service. Here, the SNS server may be an information processing device that provides a service that allows communication between multiple users.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, when functioning as an SNS server, it is possible to provide games called social games that are executed using the operating environment (API (Application Programming Interface), platform, etc.) of the SNS that is provided.

[0079] Unlike existing online games, social games include games that do not require dedicated client software and can be used with just a web browser and an SNS account. In addition, this embodiment has a configuration that makes it possible to provide an online game in which users can connect to other users' terminals 20 via a network and share the same game progress simultaneously online.

[0080] [2.6] Example of a browser game In particular, in this embodiment, games may be provided on the web browser of terminal 20, such as browser games (games that can be launched simply by opening the installation site in the web browser) created in various languages, such as HTML, FLASH (registered trademark), CGI, PHP, shockwave, Java (registered trademark) applet, and JavaScript (registered trademark).

[0081] The terminal 20 also has a web browser capable of viewing web pages (HTML format data). That is, the terminal 20 has a communication control function for communicating with the game server 10, a web browser function for performing display control using data received from the game server 10 (web data, data created in HTML format, etc.), and for transmitting user operation data to the game server 10, and executes various processes for providing a game screen to the user and allowing the user to play the game. However, the terminal 20 may also acquire game control information provided from the game server 10, execute predetermined game processing, and play a game based on the game processing.

[0082] Specifically, when the terminal 20 makes a request to the game server 10 to play a predetermined game, the terminal 20 is connected to the game site of the game server 10 and the game starts. In particular, the terminal 20 may be configured to use an API as necessary to cause the game server 10 functioning as an SNS server to perform predetermined processing, or to acquire user information and the like managed by the game server 10 functioning as an SNS server, and execute the game.

[0083] [2.7] Other In this embodiment, the game server 10 may be configured with one (device, processor) or multiple (devices, processors). Information (e.g., user information, game information, etc.) stored in the storage area (storage unit 170 described later) of the game server 10 may be stored in a database (broadly speaking, a storage device, a memory) connected via a network (an intranet or the Internet). The communication line between the terminal 20 and the game server 10 may be wired or wireless.

[0084] [3] Game Server Description Next, the game server 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the game server 10 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, some of the components (each unit) of Fig. 4 may be omitted.

[0085] In this embodiment, it includes an input unit 160 for use in input by the administrator and others, an information storage medium 180 in which predetermined information is stored, a communication unit 196 for communicating with terminals 20 and others, a processing unit 100 that mainly executes processing related to the game to be provided, and a memory unit 170 that mainly stores various data used in the game.

[0086] The input unit 160 is used by a system administrator or the like to input game-related settings and other necessary settings and data. For example, the input unit 160 in this embodiment is configured with a mouse, keyboard, and the like.

[0087] The information storage medium 180 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions are realized by an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a memory (ROM), etc.

[0088] The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (e.g., terminals, other servers, or other network systems), and its functions are configured by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

[0089] The storage unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, etc., and its functions are realized by RAM (VRAM), etc. The information stored in the storage unit 170 may be managed by a database.

[0090] In addition to the main memory unit 171, the memory unit 170 of this embodiment also has an image buffer 172, a game data memory unit 174 in which game information indicating information related to the game is stored, and a user information memory unit (player information memory unit) 176.

[0091] In particular, the game data storage unit 174 stores information about the game space (game field) in which the game is played, information about the virtual camera, setting values ​​used in the game, and the like.

[0092] Furthermore, the user information storage unit 176 stores user information (user information) for each user (user) in association with a user ID. The user ID is user identification information for identifying a user. For example, in this embodiment, a plurality of growth elements may be stored in the user information storage unit 176 in association with the user ID.

[0093] The user information includes not only the user information associated with the user, but also information about the user's character and the like.

[0094] The processing unit 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs and data stored in a given storage area (such as a storage area on the cloud, the storage unit 170, or the information storage medium 180). For example, the information storage medium 180 stores programs for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

[0095] For example, the processing unit 100 (processor) controls the entire game server 10 based on a program stored in a given storage area, and performs various processes such as controlling the transfer of data between each unit. Furthermore, it performs processes to provide various services in response to requests from the terminal 20.

[0096] In this embodiment, the game server 10 may perform part or all of the processing of the processing unit 100, or the terminal 20 may perform part of the processing of the processing unit 100. Also, the bonus granting system 30 may perform part of the processing of the processing unit 100.

[0097] The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 114 , a presentation unit 116 , a reception unit 119 , a communication control unit 120 , a Web processing unit 121 , a management unit 122 , a notification unit 123 , an image generation unit 130 , and a sound processing unit 140 .

[0098] The game processing unit 114 executes game processing based on input information (operation information) from a user. For example, the game processing unit 114 may receive input information (operation information) from a user's terminal 20 and execute game processing.

[0099] The presentation unit 116 controls the presentation (display) of given information on the terminal 20. The presentation unit 116 may also perform transmission control to present (display) a game screen on the terminal 20. In other words, the presentation unit 116 generates display control information for a game screen or the like, and controls the generated display control information to be displayed on the terminal 20 of the user.

[0100] The presentation unit 116 may perform control to present (display) a video of the user's gameplay and game images (game screens) on the display unit 290 of the terminal 20 of the user.

[0101] The accepting unit 119 accepts user input. The accepting unit 119 may also accept touch input on a touch panel as user input. The accepting unit 119 receives and accepts the content of the input (touch position, timing, etc.) from the terminal 20.

[0102] The receiving unit 119 may also receive user inputs, instructions, and the like through data transmission and reception by the communication control unit 120.

[0103] Furthermore, the receiving unit 119 may receive information (posted information, etc.) from the terminal 20 of a user who is a viewer.

[0104] The communication control unit 120 establishes a connection (session or connection) with the terminal 20 and performs processing to communicate (transmit and receive) data via the network.

[0105] The Web processing unit 121 functions as a Web server. For example, the Web processing unit 121 performs a process of transmitting data in response to a request from a Web browser installed on the terminal 20, and a process of receiving data transmitted by the Web browser of the terminal 20, via a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

[0106] The management unit 122 manages game information and user information associated with user identification information for each user.

[0107] The management unit 122 may also manage information such as account information of broadcasters and viewers, parameters of broadcasters and viewers, and in-game currency and items that can be used by broadcasters and viewers.

[0108] Furthermore, the notification unit 123 notifies the user of given information. Note that "notifying" information means notifying (providing, presenting, displaying) the information to the user (user terminal 20).

[0109] The term "notification" refers to at least one of the following: sending by the game server 10 to the user's terminal 20 an email (which may be a mail newsletter, etc.) sent and received via SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol); sending by a given protocol, not limited to SMTP; sending a push notification; presenting (displaying) a predetermined screen (banner display screen, notification screen, pop-up screen, etc.) of a predetermined application; and the web processing unit 121 of the game server 10 notifying via a web page. The term "notification" refers to active transmission by the game server 10 to the user's terminal 20. In this embodiment, sending information to the user's terminal 20 in response to a request from the user's terminal 20 may also be considered a form of "notification." A push notification refers to displaying a message window in a partial area (such as the top edge) of the terminal (smartphone) screen. The term "notification" includes audio notification, in which a displayed message or the like is converted into audio. The term "notification" also includes notification by vibration.

[0110] The image generation unit 130 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, etc. The image generation unit 130 generates one image of the game screen in one frame time (for example, 1 / 60 seconds) in accordance with the progress of the game. The generated image is transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0111] The image generation unit 130 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating a game image, which is output to the image buffer 172 or transmitted to the terminal 20. The image generation unit 130 may generate an image (a so-called three-dimensional image) that can be seen from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) in the object space (game space).

[0112] For example, when generating a 3D game image, the image generation unit 130 first performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation (world coordinate transformation, camera coordinate transformation), clipping, or perspective transformation, and then creates rendering data (position coordinates of vertices of primitive surfaces, texture coordinates, color data, normal vectors, alpha values, etc.) based on the results of these processing. Then, based on this rendering data (primitive surface data), the object (one or more primitive surfaces) after perspective transformation (after geometry processing) is rendered in the image buffer 172 (a buffer that can store image information in pixel units, such as a frame buffer or work buffer; VRAM). This generates an image seen from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) in object space.

[0113] The sound processing unit 140 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voices, and transmits them to the terminal 20.

[0114] The processing unit 100 works in conjunction with the terminal 20 and executes game processing for the game provided in this embodiment for each user based on the user's input entered via the terminal 20.

[0115] The processing unit 100 may also have a timer function, which may be used to manage the progress of the game and synchronize with each terminal 20. In particular, the current time and a preset time may be output to each unit.

[0116] [4] Device description Next, the terminal (terminal device) 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal 20 of this embodiment. Furthermore, the terminal 20 of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (units) of Fig. 5 are omitted.

[0117] The input unit 260 is used by the user to input operation data, and this function can be realized by a touch panel or a touch panel display, etc. That is, the input unit 260 includes a detection unit 262 that can detect two-dimensional pointed position coordinates (x, y) on a screen on which an image is displayed. For example, the input unit 260 includes a detection unit 262 that can detect two-dimensional contact position coordinates (x, y) in a contact detection area (touch panel).

[0118] The touch operation on the display screen (hereinafter referred to as "touch panel" unless otherwise specified) may be performed using a fingertip or an input device such as a touch pen.

[0119] The input unit 260 may also include a button, lever, keyboard, steering wheel, microphone, acceleration sensor, etc., which can input input information (operation signals) other than the indicated position.

[0120] The storage unit 270 serves as a work area for the processing unit 200, communication unit 296, etc., and its functions can be realized by RAM (VRAM) or the like. The storage unit 270 of this embodiment includes a main storage unit 271 used as a work area, an image buffer 272 in which final display images and the like are stored, a game data storage unit 274, and a user information storage unit 276. Note that some of these may be omitted, or the storage unit 170 of the game server 10 may constitute part of them.

[0121] The image buffer 272 may store image data generated by the image generation unit 230 or image data received from the game server 10.

[0122] The game data storage unit 274 stores information about the game space (game field) in which the game is played, information about each character, information about the virtual camera, other setting values ​​used in the game, etc. Note that the terminal 20 may store information received from the game server 10 in the game data storage unit 274.

[0123] User information is stored in the user information storage unit 276. Note that the terminal 20 may receive user information corresponding to the user ID from the game server 10 and store the information in the user information storage unit 276.

[0124] The information storage medium 280 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions can be realized by an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a memory (ROM), etc.

[0125] Furthermore, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit) can be stored in the information storage medium 280. Note that the processing unit 200 performs various processes of this embodiment based on the program (data) stored in the information storage medium 280, as will be described later.

[0126] The display unit 290 outputs the image generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by a CRT, LCD, touch panel display, HMD (head mounted display), or the like.

[0127] In particular, in this embodiment, the display unit 290 also functions as an input unit 260 where the user performs game operations by using a touch panel display. Here, the touch panel may be, for example, a resistive type (four-wire type, five-wire type), a capacitance type, an electromagnetic induction type, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type, or an infrared scanning type.

[0128] The sound output unit 292 outputs the sound generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by a speaker, headphones, or the like.

[0129] The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, the game server 10 or other terminals 20), and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, or programs.

[0130] The terminal 20 may receive, via a network, programs and data for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment, which are stored in the information storage medium 180 or storage unit 170 of the game server 10, and store the received programs and data in the information storage medium 280 or storage unit 270. Such cases in which the terminal 20 functions by receiving programs and data are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0131] The processing unit 200 (processor) performs processing such as game processing, image generation processing, or sound generation processing in conjunction with the game server 10 based on input data from the input unit 260, programs, and the like.

[0132] In particular, in this embodiment, game processing includes processing for starting a game when a game start condition is met, processing for progressing the game, processing for placing objects such as characters and enemy characters, processing for displaying objects, processing for calculating game results, and processing for ending a game when a game end condition is met.

[0133] The processing unit 200 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs and data stored in a given storage area (such as a storage area on the cloud, the storage unit 270, or the information storage medium 280). For example, the information storage medium 280 stores programs for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

[0134] Furthermore, the processing unit 200 performs game processing (for example, processing of a competitive game, etc.) based on user input information input by the input unit 260. Furthermore, the processing unit 200 may be executed in conjunction with the game server 10, or a part or all of the processing unit 200 may be formed in the game server 10.

[0135] The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the storage unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), or by programs.

[0136] The processing unit 200 includes a display control unit 211, a receiving unit 212, a notification unit 213, a communication control unit 220, a web browser 221, an image generation unit 230, and a sound processing unit 240. Note that some of these units may be omitted.

[0137] The display control unit 211 performs processing to display a game screen on the display unit 290. For example, the display control unit 211 may display the game screen using a web browser 221. Furthermore, the display control unit 211 causes the display unit 290 to display information required during the game based on information transmitted from the game server 10. For example, the terminal 20 displays display information for the game screen received from the game server 10.

[0138] Furthermore, the display control unit 211 may perform all or part of the same processing as the presentation unit 116 of the game server 10.

[0139] The receiving unit 212 performs processing to receive input from a user. For example, the receiving unit 212 may transmit input information received by the terminal 20 to the game server 10, and the game server 10 may receive the input information. Furthermore, the receiving unit 212 may perform all or part of the same processing as the receiving unit 119 of the game server 10.

[0140] The notification unit 213 notifies the user of given information. For example, the notification unit 213 displays the information on a game screen. The notification unit 213 may perform all or part of the same processing as the notification unit 123 of the game server 10.

[0141] The communication control unit 220 performs processing to transmit and receive data to and from each game server 10. The communication control unit 220 also performs processing to store data received from the game server 10 in the storage unit 270, processing to analyze the received data, and other control processing related to the transmission and reception of data.

[0142] The communication control unit 220 may store and manage destination information (network information such as IP addresses and port numbers) of other terminals 20 and the game server 10 in the storage unit 270 or the information storage medium 280. The communication control unit 220 may then communicate with the game server 10 when receiving input information from the user to start communication.

[0143] In particular, the communication control unit 220 is responsible for processing to transmit user identification information and input information to the game server 10 and receive data (user web pages, game screens, etc.) from the game server 10. Carry out the process.

[0144] The communication control unit 220 may transmit and receive data to and from the game server 10 at a predetermined cycle, or may transmit and receive data to and from the game server 10 when input information is received from the input unit 260. In particular, the communication control unit 220 of this embodiment performs processing to receive given screen information (for example, information about a game screen, etc.) from the game server 10.

[0145] The web browser 221 is an application program for viewing web pages (game screens), downloading HTML files, image files, etc. from the web server (game server 10), analyzing the layout, and controlling the display. The web browser 221 also sends data to the web server (game server 10) using input forms (links, buttons, text boxes, etc.).

[0146] The web browser 221 of this embodiment can realize a browser game. For example, the web browser 221 may execute a program written in JavaScript (registered trademark), FLASH (registered trademark), Java (registered trademark), or the like, received from a web server (game server 10).

[0147] The terminal 20 can display information from a web server specified by a URL (short for Uniform Resource Locator) via the Internet using the web browser 221. For example, the terminal 20 can display a game screen (data such as HTML) received from the game server 10 using the web browser 221.

[0148] The image generation unit 230 performs drawing processing based on various processes (for example, game processing) performed by the processing unit 200, thereby generating an image, which is output to the display unit 290 by the display control unit 211. The image generated by the image generation unit 230 may be a so-called two-dimensional image or a so-called three-dimensional image. Note that the image generation unit 230 may perform all or part of the same processing as the image generation unit 130 of the game server 10.

[0149] The sound processing unit 240 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed in the processing unit 200, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voices, and outputs them to the sound output unit 292. Note that the sound processing unit 240 may perform all or part of the same processing as the sound processing unit 140 of the game server 10.

[0150] In the present embodiment, when a game is played by a plurality of terminals 20 using P2P or the like, one terminal 20 may act as a host and execute processing. In such a case, the terminal 20 as the host may execute processing of each processing unit of the game server 10 (a part or all of each processing unit).

[0151] [5] Explanation of the reward system Next, the privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, some of the components (each unit) of Fig. 6 may be omitted.

[0152] In this embodiment, the system includes an input unit 360 for use in administrator and other inputs, an information storage medium 380 storing predetermined information, a communication unit 396 for communicating with devices such as the game server 10, the terminal 20, the event management system 40, and the video distribution system 50, a processing unit 300, and a memory unit 370 for mainly storing various types of data.

[0153] The input unit 360 is used by a system administrator or the like to input game-related settings and other necessary settings and data. For example, the input unit 360 in this embodiment is configured with a mouse, keyboard, and the like.

[0154] The information storage medium 380 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions are realized by an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a memory (ROM), etc.

[0155] The communication unit 396 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (e.g., terminals, other servers, or other network systems), and its functions are configured by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

[0156] The storage unit 370 serves as a work area for the processing unit 300, the communication unit 396, etc., and its functions are realized by RAM (VRAM), etc. The information stored in the storage unit 370 may be managed by a database.

[0157] In addition to the main memory 371, the storage unit 370 of this embodiment includes an image buffer 372, a user information storage unit (player information storage unit) 373, an application information storage unit 375, and a distribution information storage unit 376.

[0158] Furthermore, the user information storage unit 373 stores user information (user information) for each user (user) in association with the user ID. The user ID may be the same user identification information as that of the game server 10, or may be unique user identification information assigned by the reward granting system 30. In such a case, the user ID assigned by the reward granting system 30 and the user ID assigned by the game server 10 are stored in association with each other.

[0159] The application information is stored in the application information storage unit 375. The application information is information submitted by a host user to hold an event, and may also be called event information.

[0160] Furthermore, distribution information is stored in the distribution information storage unit 376. The distribution information storage unit 374 may be configured to store a tour keyword and tour result data.

[0161] The processing unit 300 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs and data stored in a given storage area (such as a storage area on the cloud, the storage unit 370, or the information storage medium 380). For example, the information storage medium 380 stores a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

[0162] For example, the processing unit 300 (processor) controls the entire reward granting system 30 based on a program stored in a given storage area, and performs various processes such as controlling the transfer of data between each unit. Furthermore, it performs processes to provide various services in response to requests from the terminal 20.

[0163] In this embodiment, the benefit granting system 30 may perform part or all of the processing of the processing unit 300, or the game server 10 may perform part of the processing of the processing unit 300.

[0164] The processing unit 300 includes an application control unit 311, a distribution information control unit 312, a monitoring control unit 313, a bonus granting unit 314, a presentation unit 316, a reception unit 319, a communication control unit 320, a Web processing unit 321, a management unit 322, a notification unit 323, an image generation unit 330, and a sound processing unit 340.

[0165] The application control unit 311 acquires application information for an event hosting application by a hosting user.

[0166] The distribution information control unit 312 acquires distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0167] The distribution information may include at least one of image information showing the implementation status of the event for which application information was obtained and reproducible information that allows the image information to be reproduced on the terminal device of the viewing user. Note that image information also includes videos made up of multiple images. In other words, the distribution information includes video information showing the implementation status of the event for which application information was obtained or reproducible information that allows the video information to be reproduced on the terminal device of the viewing user.

[0168] The monitoring control unit 313 acquires distribution information from the video distribution system, and monitors whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate based on the distribution information.

[0169] The reward granting unit 314 executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event based on the distribution information.

[0170] The bonus granting unit 314 may also change the content of the bonus depending on a predetermined condition.

[0171] Furthermore, for example, when it is determined that the implementation status of the event is valid based on the distribution information, the benefit granting unit 314 may execute a process of granting a benefit to a user related to the event.

[0172] The benefit granting unit 314 may also execute a process of granting a benefit based on the distribution information and the event identification information of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired.

[0173] The distribution information may also include disclosure realization information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which the application information for the event has been acquired has been made public to the viewing user. In this case, the benefit granting unit 314 may execute a process of granting a benefit based on the disclosure realization information.

[0174] The distribution information may also include viewing information from the viewing user. In such a case, the privilege granting unit 314 may execute a process of granting a privilege based on the viewing information. The privilege granting unit 314 may also determine whether or not a viewing condition is satisfied based on the viewing information, and execute a process of granting a privilege if the viewing condition is satisfied.

[0175] The privilege granting unit 314 may also define a plurality of viewing conditions based on the viewing information, and execute a process of granting a privilege when at least one of the viewing conditions is satisfied.

[0176] The reward granting unit 314 may execute a process of granting a reward based on the content of the event.

[0177] For example, the reward granting unit 314 may execute a process of granting a reward based on at least one of the number of users participating in the event and the user information of the users participating in the event.

[0178] The reward granting unit 314 also grants a reward to at least one of the host user and the participating users. Execute the processing to be given.

[0179] The benefit granting unit 314 may also determine whether or not an event satisfies an event holding condition, and if the event satisfies the event holding condition, execute a process of granting a benefit to a user related to the event.

[0180] The presentation unit 316 controls the presentation (display) of given information on the terminal 20. The presentation unit 316 may also perform transmission control to present (display) a screen on the terminal 20. In other words, the presentation unit 316 generates display control information for a screen or the like, and controls the generated display control information to be displayed on the terminal 20 of the user.

[0181] The presentation unit 316 may perform control to present (display) a video of the user's gameplay and game images (game screens) on the display unit 290 of the terminal 20 of the user.

[0182] The accepting unit 319 accepts user input. The accepting unit 319 may also accept touch input on a touch panel as user input. The accepting unit 319 receives and accepts the content of the input (touch position, timing, etc.) from the terminal 20.

[0183] The receiving unit 319 may also receive user inputs, instructions, and the like through data transmission and reception by the communication control unit 320.

[0184] The receiving unit 319 may also receive information (posted information, etc.) from the terminal 20 of a user who is a viewer.

[0185] The communication control unit 320 establishes a connection (session or connection) with the terminal 20 and performs processing to communicate (transmit and receive) data via the network.

[0186] The Web processing unit 321 functions as a Web server. For example, the Web processing unit 321 performs a process of transmitting data in response to a request from a Web browser installed on the terminal 20, and a process of receiving data transmitted by the Web browser of the terminal 20, via a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

[0187] The management unit 322 manages game information and user information associated with user identification information for each user.

[0188] The management unit 322 may also manage information such as account information of broadcasters and viewers, parameters of broadcasters and viewers, and in-game currency and items that can be used by broadcasters and viewers.

[0189] The notification unit 323 notifies the user of given information. Note that "notification" refers to at least one of the following: the privilege granting system 30 sending information to the user's terminal 20 by email (which may be an email newsletter, etc.) sent and received using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol); sending information by a given protocol other than SMTP; sending a push notification; presenting (displaying) a given screen (banner display screen, notice screen, pop-up screen, etc.) of a given application; and the Web processing unit 321 of the privilege granting system 30 notifying the user by a Web page. This means that the privilege granting system 30 actively sends information to the user's terminal 20. Note that in this embodiment, information is sent to the requested terminal 20 in response to a request from the user's terminal 20. Both of these may be considered as aspects of "notification."

[0190] The image generation unit 330 generates a screen to be displayed on the terminal 20, and transmits the generated image to the terminal 20. For example, the image generation unit 330 performs the same process as the game server 10, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] The sound processing unit 340 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 300, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voices, and transmits them to the terminal 20.

[0192] The reward granting system 30 may also be called a distribution information monitoring system or a monitoring system.

[0193] [6] Event description The event in this embodiment is an event held by a host user, and is an event in which a participant user can participate.

[0194] The "host user" who hosts the event may be one person or multiple people.

[0195] The "participating users" participating in the event may be one or more. Furthermore, at least one of the participating users may be the hosting user. For example, if the hosting user is included in the participating users of the event of this embodiment, the number of participating users may be limited to multiple.

[0196] For example, the event of this embodiment is an event in which, when the terminal 20 of the hosting user posts a video of the event being held to the video distribution system 50, the viewing users can view the video.

[0197] For example, a viewing user is a user who watches a video posted to the video distribution system 50. The viewing user may include a host user and a participating user. The viewing user may be one or more people. The viewing user may also be referred to as a spectator user or a viewing user.

[0198] In this embodiment, an example of a game event will be described in which a participating user plays a game provided by the game server 10 by moving and operating a character or the like to be operated by the participating user in a three-dimensional virtual space of the game.

[0199] The event of this embodiment is not limited to a game event. For example, there is a virtual space system in which an avatar (also called a character) representing an operator's alter ego moves and operates based on input information from the operator in a three-dimensional virtual space different from the real world, thereby promoting communication between the avatars and economic activities of the avatars. The event of this embodiment may be an event in the virtual space of the virtual space system.

[0200] The event may also be an event such as a competition held in the real world, for example, a manzai event, an event where musical performances are performed, or a talk event where conversations are realized.

[0201] [7] Explanation of application control The privilege granting system 30 acquires application information for an event hosting application by a hosting user. The application information may also be referred to as event hosting application information.

[0202] The application information can be acquired by various methods. For example, the reward granting system 30 receives (accepts) the application information transmitted from the terminal 20 of the sponsor user A. The application information is obtained.

[0203] [7.1] Application information 7 shows an example of the application information. When the benefit granting system 30 acquires the application information, the benefit granting system 30 stores the application information in the application information storage unit 375.

[0204] The application information includes an event ID and various information associated with the event ID. Here, the event ID is unique information for identifying the event, and is event identification information.

[0205] For example, the application information includes, in association with the event ID, a host user ID, an event name, a game name, participation conditions, a participation acceptance period, the date and time of the event, and a bonus grant flag. For example, a bonus grant flag of 1 means that the bonus has been granted, i.e., the bonus has been granted. A bonus grant flag of 0 means that the bonus has not been granted, i.e., the bonus has not yet been granted.

[0206] Upon receiving the application information, the benefit granting system 30 issues an event ID and notifies the terminal 20A of the host user A of the event ID.

[0207] The event management system 40 may issue the event ID. For example, when the event management system 40 accepts a new event from the organizing user A, it issues an event ID and notifies the terminal 20A of the organizing user A of the event ID. Then, the event management system 40 transmits application information including information associating the user ID of the organizing user with the issued event ID to the benefit granting system 30.

[0208] When the benefit granting system 30 receives the application information including information associating the user ID of the hosting user with the issued event ID, the benefit granting system 30 stores the application information in the application information storage unit 375.

[0209] The application information may include at least one of the following: a program for executing the event, character information and item information appearing or used in the event, the map and course on which the event is executed, information on various objects to be placed in the virtual three-dimensional space (i.e., game space), event specifications, event holding conditions, event holding period, participation conditions for users to participate in the event, and a prize awarded by the event. In other words, this prize is a benefit for participating in the event, not a benefit for hosting the event.

[0210] Event specifications may include at least one of the following: the content of the game, whether or not an organizer will participate, rules including the game format (such as league matches or tournaments), the type and number of prizes awarded by the event, the number of players participating, the specifications and type of game stage, decorations within the game images (backgrounds and effects), background music, types of items that can be used in the game, types of characters that appear (including abilities), such as characters that can be selected as player characters, and the recruitment period.

[0211] The conditions for holding an event include, for example, at least one of the following: the number of users participating during the recruitment period has reached a predetermined number; users who wish to participate have met predetermined qualifications, such as earning a predetermined number of points, by the set start time; and a predetermined number of users have logged in at the time the game event starts.

[0212] Furthermore, the conditions for a user to participate in an event may include, for example, the user's level, acquired experience points, stamina value, points, and virtual currency (e.g., in-game currency) being equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the game period being equal to or greater than a predetermined period, and the number of consecutive days logged in during the predetermined period. Contains at least one.

[0213] [7.2] Event Management System 40 Furthermore, for example, the reward granting system 30 may actively (autonomously) access an event management system 40 that manages an external tournament hosting tool, and acquire application information for the event.

[0214] When the application information is acquired from the event management system 40, the application information includes a user ID of the event management system 40 and a user ID of the game server 10. The benefit granting system 30 manages the user ID of the event management system 40 and the user ID of the game server 10 in cooperation with each other.

[0215] For example, user A's terminal 20 logs in to a site provided by the event management system 40 or an app provided by the event management system 40 using user A's user ID, enters application information for holding an event, and transmits the application information to the event management system 40.

[0216] The benefit granting system 30 accesses the event management system 40 at predetermined intervals and acquires new application information if there is any.

[0217] [8] Event control explanation [8.1] Overview Next, the event control of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the game event provided by the game server 10 will be described as an example.

[0218] First, the game server 10 acquires information about a game event that has been requested based on instructions from user A, and sets the event as a scheduled event based on instructions from user A who has requested to host the game event.

[0219] The game server 10 then accepts participating users for the scheduled game event. The participating users may be, for example, user A who hosted the game event, or users other than the host user (for example, users B and C).

[0220] When an event to be scheduled is set, it is determined whether or not the event can be held based on the conditions for holding the event.

[0221] If it is determined that the event can be held, the event is executed by the organizing user A. Note that if it is determined that the event can be held, given points or items of the organizing user A may be consumed.

[0222] [8.2] Event hosting application When the game server 10 detects an instruction to hold a game event Ev1 sent from the terminal 20A of user A, it identifies the user ID of user A who sent the instruction to hold the game event and determines whether or not to set the scheduled event to be held.

[0223] That is, the game server 10 acquires the user ID (for example, "A") included in the instruction to hold the game event Ev1, and sets the game event Ev1 with the user A who issued the instruction to hold the game event as the host user based on the user ID.

[0224] At this time, the game server 10 checks the user ID included in the instruction to hold the game event. A game event may be set in which the user who issued the instruction to hold the event serves as the host user, on the condition that a consumption value is consumed from a predetermined parameter.

[0225] For example, if a predetermined parameter of a user ID included in an instruction to hold a game event is equal to or greater than a consumption value, the game server 10 may set up a game event with the user who issued the instruction to hold the event as the hosting user, and consume the consumption value from the predetermined parameter of the user ID.

[0226] Then, the game server 10 determines the content of the event. For example, the game server 10 determines the event name, game name, participation conditions, participation acceptance period, and event date and time based on "instructions from organizer user A" and / or "computer control."

[0227] Furthermore, based on "instructions from host user A" and / or "computer control," the game server 10 may determine "a program to execute the event," "character information and item information that appear or will be used in the event," "map and course on which the event will be executed," "information regarding various objects to be placed in the game space," "event specifications such as the event name and the stage to be held," "event conditions such as the number of participants recruited (minimum number of participants and maximum number of participants) and the event period (including the date and time of the event)," and "prizes to be provided to participating users through the event and information regarding the prizes."

[0228] The "participation conditions" are the qualifications for a user to participate in an event.

[0229] [8.3] Participation Registration Process Once the game server 10 has determined the content of the event, it executes a notification process for notifying other users of the event and a participation acceptance process for accepting users who wish to participate.

[0230] The notification process is specifically described below. For example, the notification process is a process of setting a specific event execution schedule for the event on the date and time of the event, and notifying users other than the host user via terminal 20 of the determined event content, such as game specifications, participation conditions, and the number of participants to be recruited, which is information necessary for recruitment.

[0231] For example, the notification process may be a process in which, at a predetermined timing, such as during the main game or when logging in to a game service to play the main game, information indicating an overview of the event is displayed on a part of the game screen of terminal 20, and when instructed to display such information, display control is executed to display information indicating details of the event.

[0232] It should be noted that when the number of users who wish to participate reaches the maximum number of participants, the game server 10 may notify each terminal 20 that the recruitment has ended.

[0233] The participation acceptance process is a process of accepting participation from users who wish to participate until the end of the recruitment period or until the maximum number of participants set in the application information has been registered, for example.

[0234] Each time the game server 10 accepts a user wishing to participate, it determines whether the user is eligible to participate, and if the user is eligible to participate, it registers the user as a participating user.

[0235] At this time, the game server 10 determines whether the maximum number of participants has been reached by the registered participating users, and if the maximum number of participants has been reached by the registered participating users, executes a notification process to end the notification.

[0236] It should be noted that the game server 10 executes the participation acceptance process even when the host user wishes to participate as a participating user.

[0237] [8.4] Event Determination Process The game server 10 executes an event holding determination process to determine whether or not to hold the event based on the participation status of the participating users and the event holding conditions by the event holding date and time of the scheduled event (for example, 24 hours before the event holding date and time).

[0238] In particular, the game server 10 determines whether the number of participating users who have registered to participate by a specified timing (specified time) is equal to or greater than the minimum number of participants required to hold the event, and if the number of participating users is less than the minimum number of participants, it cancels the event, and if the number is equal to or greater than the minimum number of participants, it executes control to start the event.

[0239] [8.5] ​​Event execution processing When the event starts, the game server 10 executes various control processes for progressing the event in accordance with the content determined based on the application information and based on instructions from each participating user.

[0240] For example, new user B can use his / her own terminal 20B to access the game server 10 with a previously acquired user ID and play an online game. Similarly, new user C can use his / her own terminal 20C to access the game server 10 with a previously acquired user ID and play an online game.

[0241] Furthermore, when the event ends, the game server 10 performs an event end process in which it identifies the user who won the event (hereinafter referred to as the "winning user") from among the participating users and the rankings of the participating users. The game server 10 may award prizes provided in the event to the winning user and users with good results (predetermined rankings).

[0242] The game server 10 may store replay data for event Ev1 in association with the user ID of the hosting user A. The replay data is various data necessary to reproduce the play content after the play. The hosting user A's terminal 20A then receives the replay data by transmitting a replay data request to the game server 10.

[0243] The replay data includes, for example, data relating to the history of operation inputs of user characters by participating user B, the history of operation inputs of user characters by participating user C, and the history of automatic operation inputs of NPCs (non-user characters) by the computer.

[0244] [9] Explanation of the video distribution system [9.1] Overview The video distribution system 50 employed in this embodiment is a distribution system that distributes video footage of events. This video distribution system 50 can be connected to the game server 10 via a network. The game server 10 can provide games such as game events, but does not distribute video footage. Therefore, the bonus granting system 30 obtains distribution information from the video distribution system 50.

[0245] Furthermore, for example, the video distribution system 50 includes a storage unit 530 that stores videos. The storage unit 530 includes a database 540 in which information is organized to facilitate search and storage.

[0246] [9.2] Video posting instructions Next, a method for posting a video of an event to the video distribution system 50 (for example, the database 540 corresponding to the video distribution system 50) in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0247] For example, an example will be described in which participant users B and C participate in an event Ev1 hosted by a host user A, and the host user A posts a video of the event being held.

[0248] First, when the event Ev1 starts, the terminal 20A of the host user A shoots a video showing the progress of the event Ev1.

[0249] Then, hosting user A's terminal 20A posts the video information and video accompanying information of the event Ev1 that has been filmed to video distribution system 50 based on hosting user A's operational input.

[0250] For example, when host user A's terminal 20A posts an event video (e.g., a gameplay video of an event) to video distribution system 50, the event ID (e.g., event ID=001) is included in the video accompanying information. The event ID may be included not only in the video accompanying information but also in the URL of the event video, the image of the event video itself, or the event video itself. In this way, the reward granting system 30 can determine that the event is being implemented legitimately simply by detecting the event ID from the video accompanying information, etc.

[0251] Furthermore, after the event Ev1 ends, terminal 20A of user A who is hosting event Ev1 may complete editing of the video information to be posted (uploaded) and video accompanying information related to the video, and post the information to video distribution system 50 based on the posting input. Then, terminal 20A obtains access information (for example, a URL or a link to the URL) from video distribution system 50.

[0252] The video accompanying information includes metadata such as the video title, a description of the video, the origin of the video information, thumbnails, subtitles, etc. In other words, the video accompanying information is information indicating the content of the video.

[0253] For example, the video accompanying information may include the poster user ID, the organizer user ID, the video event ID, the event name, the game name, etc. The video accompanying information may also include (1) game genre, (2) game title, (3) play date and time, (4) user IDs of participating users, (5) information about the play situation (e.g., the stage ID being played, the type and number of enemy characters that appear, etc.), (6) video category (genre according to the content of the video information), (7) situation commentary that briefly explains the content of the video information (e.g., the name of the technique that was used, the number of combos, the items that were used, etc.), (8) replay timing, etc. Of course, in addition to these, the video accompanying information may also include, as appropriate, visual effects, sound effects, audio subtitles, and comments that express the user's feelings.

[0254] When the terminal 20A of the host user A posts (uploads) video information and the like to the video distribution system 50, the video distribution system 50 sets access information for the video information and returns it.

[0255] The terminal 20A of the host user A stores the video information, the video accompanying information, and the access information received from the video distribution system 50 in the storage unit 270 of the terminal 20A.

[0256] The access information is a URL for accessing a video showing the implementation status of the event Ev1 on a site provided by the video distribution system 50, and is, for example, a URL such as "https: / / bngxxx.xxx / mv1 / 001". Any information that can directly call up the target video, such as a URL link or IP address, is sufficient, and can be set appropriately through link settings instructed by the poster, organizer user A, or the configuration of the database in video distribution system 50. The link may be displayed in the form of text, an icon, or the like. The link may also include a code obtained by converting the URL into a two-dimensional code or the like.

[0257] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a video of an event is posted by the organizing user A, but the poster is not limited to the organizing user A. A participating user (e.g., user B) may use the participating user's terminal 20 (e.g., terminal 20B) to post video information and accompanying video information in response to operational input by the participating user (e.g., user B).

[0258] [9.3] Video access When posted video information is set to "public," the video distribution system 50 controls the video information so that it can be viewed at any time by third parties through access or search. When set to "public," the video information is also controlled so that it can be viewed as a related video to a given video.

[0259] Furthermore, when posted video information is set to a "limited release" state, the video distribution system 50 controls the video information so that it cannot be accessed, searched, or viewed by third parties. In the case of "limited release," the system controls the video information so that it can at least be accessed and viewed by specific users associated with the poster's user ID.

[0260] Furthermore, if the posted video information is set to "private," the video distribution system 50 controls the video information so that it cannot be viewed even if a third party accesses it.

[0261] For example, a viewing user who is not related to the poster can use his / her own terminal 20 to access the video distribution system 50, search for posted videos, specify the URL of the video of the event that has been set to public, and easily view the desired video information.

[0262]

[10] Distribution information The privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment acquires distribution information from the terminal 20 of a user (for example, host user A) and / or the video distribution system 50. Upon acquiring the distribution information, the privilege granting system 30 stores the distribution information in the distribution information storage unit 376.

[0263] Here, "distribution information" refers to information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been set to a state in which distribution is possible for viewing users who satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0264] In this embodiment, a viewing user is determined to satisfy the "specified conditions" if the viewing user meets at least one of the following conditions: (1) the viewing user is a user other than the event organizer user who obtained the event application information and the participating users of the event, and (2) the viewing user is a specific user.

[0265] To explain (1) above in more detail, if a viewing user is a user other than the organizer user A of the event Ev1 and the participating users B and C of the event Ev1 (for example, user X1 and user X2), the viewing user is determined to be a viewing user who satisfies the predetermined condition. In this case, the "distribution information" is information indicating that the implementation status of the event Ev1 has been made available for distribution to users other than the organizer user A of the event Ev1 and the participating users B and C of the event Ev1 (for example, user X1 and user X2).

[0266] To explain (2) in more detail, the viewing users are users who are not friends with the host user A, users with high rankings, users who frequently watch events, and users with high ratings. If the user corresponds to at least one of the users with a large number of posts, the user is determined to be a specific user, and is determined to be a viewing user who satisfies the predetermined conditions. In this case, the "distribution information" is information indicating that the implementation status of the event Ev1 has been made available for distribution to the specific user.

[0267] Furthermore, "event implementation status" refers to the state in which the event is being implemented, and in this embodiment, a video showing the event implementation status over time is given as an example, but it may also be an image showing the event implementation status at a specified timing.

[0268] Furthermore, "distribution possible state" indicates that the video of the event is in a state where it can be distributed to viewing users as a result of the URL and the like being determined.

[0269] 9 shows an example of distribution information. For example, the distribution information includes at least one of a distribution ID, access information (e.g., a URL), an event ID, and an event name. This information can identify the event.

[0270] The "distribution ID" is unique information for identifying distribution information. The video distribution system 50 may issue and assign the distribution ID, or the special offer system 30 may issue the distribution ID.

[0271] The distribution information may also include the poster user ID, the host user ID, the game name, the publication flag F1, the distribution date and time, etc. The distribution information is not limited to these pieces of information and may also include various other pieces of information. The publication flag F1 is a flag that indicates the feasibility of publication, and will be described in detail later.

[0272] In addition, the bonus granting system 30 may analyze the video information and video accompanying information obtained from the video distribution system 50 to obtain the distribution ID, access information, posting user ID, event ID, organizer user ID, event name, game name, public flag F1, and distribution date and time, and store them in the distribution information storage unit 376.

[0273] [10.1] Access Information For example, "distribution information" is access information for viewing the video of event Ev1, and indicates a URL (for example, a URL such as "https: / / bngxxx.xxx / mv1 / 001") and a link to the URL.

[0274] [10.2] Image Information Furthermore, the "distribution information" includes image information showing the implementation status of the event for which the application information was obtained. The "image information" includes still images and videos (videos). That is, the "distribution information" includes event videos (e.g., gameplay videos) showing the implementation status of the event stored in database 540 of video distribution system 50.

[0275] [10.3] Renewable information The "distribution information" also includes "reproducible information" that allows the image information showing the implementation status of the event for which the application information has been obtained to be reproduced on the terminal device of the viewing user.

[0276] The "playable information" is, for example, a URL (access information) for accessing an event video (game play video) showing the implementation status of the event stored in the video distribution system 50 (for example, database 540) as described above.

[0277] Also, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the "playback information" is included in the image W1 of the event video. The URL may be converted into a two-dimensional code C1.

[0278] 10(B), the "playability information" may be information D2 indicating the game name or event ID included in image W2 of the event video. In other words, if information D2 is used to access video distribution system 50, the event video can be accessed and played.

[0279] The "playability information" may also be information that enables playback of a replay video showing the progress of an event. For example, the "playability information" may be key data for playing a replay or player operation information.

[0280] [10.4] Public Implementation Information The "distribution information" also includes "publication realization information" indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been publicized to viewing users.

[0281] Here, "publication realization information" refers to information indicating whether or not a video is publicly available, and in this embodiment, for example, a publicity flag is used to determine whether or not the video is publicly available. That is, when the publicity flag F1 is "0," it indicates that the video has not been publicly available, and when the publicity flag F1 is "1," it indicates that the video has been publicly available.

[0282] For example, if an event video showing the implementation status of an event is in a "public" state that anyone can view, the reward granting system 30 sets the public flag F1 to "1," and if the event video showing the implementation status of the event is in a "private" state that no user has viewed, the reward granting system 30 sets the public flag F1 to "0." Note that if the video is "private," the public flag F1 is set to "0," but the public flag F1 may also be set to "1."

[0283] In addition, when the event video is a live video that is actually distributed in real time, the bonus granting system 30 may set the public flag F1 to "1" if the live video is scheduled to be distributed in a "public" state even before the live video is distributed.

[0284] In other words, "publication realization information" includes a state in which the "public" state will be confirmed at a future time even if the state is not currently "public." In other words, in the initial state, the public flag of the event video is set to 0. When the public release time (distribution time) arrives, the public release flag F1 may be updated to 1, or even if the state is not currently "public," the public release flag F1 may be updated to 1 at the time the "public" state is confirmed at a future release time.

[0285] The control method of the public flag F1 is not limited to the public status of the video. For example, the reward granting system 30 may set the public flag F1 to "1" if the event video has one or more ratings such as "likes," and may set the public flag F1 to "0" if the number of ratings is zero.

[0286] In addition, if the event video is a replay video, the bonus granting system 30 may initially set the public flag F1 to "0", and when it receives information indicating that the replay video is playable, set the public flag F1 to "1".

[0287] [10.5] Viewing Information "Distribution information" also includes "viewing information" from viewing users. Here, "viewing information" is another way of saying engagement value. Engagement value is a numerical value that indicates the percentage of users who viewed the posted content (video) who responded. For example, "viewing information" indicates the number of viewers, rating information, and information indicating whether the viewing was exciting or not.

[0288]

[11] Explanation of the process for obtaining distribution information from the user terminal The reward granting system 30 may receive and acquire the distribution information transmitted from the terminal 20 of the hosting user A by transmitting and receiving information to and from the terminal 20 of the hosting user A.

[0289]

[12] Explanation of the process for obtaining distribution information from the video distribution system The privilege granting system 30 may automatically acquire distribution information from the video distribution system 50.

[0290] For example, the reward system 30 may periodically access the video distribution system 50 (e.g., at 2:00 AM every day), search for application information (e.g., event ID, organizer user ID) using keywords, and obtain the video information and video-related information from the search results as distribution information.

[0291] That is, the reward granting system 30 can patrol the video distribution system 50 and monitor the evaluation of the event video (for example, a gameplay video related to the online game being played). Therefore, the reward granting system 30 may be referred to as a "monitoring system."

[0292] [12.1] Explanation of the automatic video collection function FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the function of the privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment, which accesses the video distribution system 50, periodically patrols the system, and automatically collects information about the video.

[0293] First, database 540 of video distribution system 50 generates and manages posted video information set 550 by assigning unique access information (for example, URL, IP address, route information, etc.) to each posted (uploaded) video.

[0294] The configuration of the posted video information set 550 is set appropriately by the database 540, and for example, one posted video information set 550 includes access information, posted video information or video information that has been converted or compressed into a specified data format, and video accompanying information.

[0295] Video-related information is metadata, a set of information that indexes video information. It includes at least information entered by the uploader (the uploader) and information entered automatically.

[0296] Examples of information entered by the poster (the uploader) may include the video title, the poster's account, tags, and poster comments such as a description of the video content and impressions entered by the poster.

[0297] Examples of automatically input information may include video classification, viewer comments added by others after viewing (viewing) the video, and the like.

[0298] The video accompanying information also includes viewing information (engagement information) such as the number of views indicating the results of access to the video information, and accumulated evaluation result data.

[0299] Depending on the database configuration and data management method, the video accompanying information may be included in the video information 552.

[0300] [12.2] Explanation of traversal keywords and traversal result data The reward granting system 30 creates and stores a visiting keyword 377 and visiting result data 378 based on the visiting keyword 377. FIG.

[0301] The storage unit 370 of the privilege granting system 30 stores a circulating keyword 377 .

[0302] 12, the reward granting system 30 sets at least one of the multiple data items in the acquired application information as a cyclic keyword 377. Specifically, the reward granting system 30 automatically sets the cyclic keyword 377, such as an event ID 377A, a host user ID 377B, and an event name 377C. This saves the administrator the trouble of setting the cyclic keyword.

[0303] The reward granting system 30 may set the circulating keywords 377 based on an input from an administrator as appropriate. For example, the reward granting system 30 may set the circulating keywords 377 by acquiring content suitable for searching video information (e.g., gameplay videos) related to the event from the database 540 of the video distribution system 50.

[0304] For example, in the case of an RPG (role-playing game) event, the patrol keyword 377 may be at least one of the game title, the name of a character appearing in the game, the name of an item, the name of a dungeon, the name of a stage or place name in the game where a key trap or device is set, or a term describing a highlight scene.

[0305] The reward granting system 30 periodically (regularly) accesses the database 540. For example, the reward granting system 30 accesses the video site of the video distribution system 50, performs a search process using the circulating keyword 377, and acquires video-related information including engagement information such as video information of the target gameplay video, the number of views (number of views), and accumulated evaluation results of the video.

[0306] The visit result data 378 stores visit result data for each video that is a search result obtained by accessing the video distribution system 50 and searching based on the visit keyword. Specifically, one visit result data 378 is created for each video.

[0307] 12, one piece of browsing result data 378 includes, for example, a unique browsing result ID 378A, a browsing date and time 378B, a used browsing keyword 378C that stores the browsing keyword used to obtain the browsing result, access information (e.g., URL) 378D for accessing the searched video, and video accompanying information 378E. Of course, other data may also be included as appropriate.

[0308] The accumulated visit result data 378 is used as a basis for determining whether or not to grant a bonus. In other words, the bonus granting system 30 collects information about video information (e.g., gameplay videos) posted to the database 540 on behalf of the management staff, and can use this information to determine whether or not to grant a bonus. This saves the management staff the trouble of accessing the video distribution system 50, browsing the web, and searching for the requested event video.

[0309]

[13] Explanation of the reward granting process [13.1] Overview The reward granting system 30 of this embodiment executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event (for example, a host user who hosted the event). The "reward granting process" refers to a "process of determining whether or not to grant a reward" and / or a "process of determining the content of the reward to be granted."

[0310] [13.2] Description of users eligible for benefits The users to whom the privilege is to be granted by the privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment are "users related to the event."

[0311] "Users related to the event" includes at least one of the host user who hosted the event and the participating users who will participate in the event. According to this embodiment, a benefit for hosting the event is given to at least one of the host user and the participating users, which can liven up the event.

[0312] That is, the reward-granting system 30 may grant a reward to both the hosting user and the participating users. Alternatively, the reward-granting system 30 may grant a reward only to the hosting user. Alternatively, the reward-granting system 30 may grant a reward only to the participating users without granting a reward to the hosting user.

[0313] The "users related to the event" may include viewing users who watch the event video that records the implementation of the event. In other words, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to at least one of the host user, participating users, and viewing users.

[0314] Furthermore, the reward granting system 30 may grant rewards only to viewing users, without granting rewards to the host user and participating users.

[0315] [13.3] Explanation of the process for determining whether to grant a benefit The reward granting system 30 performs a process of determining whether to grant a reward based on given information. If it is determined that a reward should be granted, the reward granting system 30 performs a process of setting the reward in association with the user ID of the user to whom the reward is to be granted.

[0316] On the other hand, when it is determined that the privilege should not be granted, the privilege granting system 30 controls so as not to set the privilege in association with the user ID of the user to whom the privilege is to be granted.

[0317] [13.4] Explanation of the process for determining the content of the rewards to be granted When the privilege granting system 30 determines that a privilege should be granted, it performs a process of determining the content of the privilege to be granted.

[0318] Specifically, when the benefit is a parameter (for example, points), the benefit granting system 30 determines an additional value for the parameter. For example, the parameter may be points that can be consumed in the event management system 40, or points that can be consumed to acquire items or characters in the game server 10. Note that the additional value may be the parameters of characters or items that appear in the game provided by the game server 10 (parameters such as a character's stamina value, attack power, defense power, recovery power, etc.), or item parameters (rarity, stamina value, attack power, defense power, etc.).

[0319] For example, if it is determined that points should be awarded to the host user A as a special benefit, a setting process is performed to add (add) a predefined number of 100 points to the points associated with the user A's user ID.

[0320] When a benefit is defined as an item, the benefit granting system 30 determines an item to be used as a benefit from among a plurality of types of items. The number of benefits is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of benefits.

[0321] For example, if it is determined that an item should be given to the host user A as a benefit, a setting process is performed to associate the determined item with the user A's user ID and make the user A possess the item.

[0322] The reward system 30 may change the content of the reward according to predetermined conditions. For example, if the viewing user meets at least one of the following conditions: (1) the viewing user is a user other than the event organizer user who obtained the event application information and the participating users of the event, and (2) the viewing user is a specific user, the viewing user is deemed to meet the predetermined conditions, and the reward system 30 may change the content of the reward according to the corresponding conditions. In this way, the content of the reward can be determined taking into consideration the type of viewing user to whom the content is made available for distribution.

[0323] To explain (1) above in more detail, if a viewing user is a user other than the organizer user A of event Ev1 and the participating users B and C of event Ev1 (for example, user X1 and user X2), the viewing user is determined to satisfy the specified condition.

[0324] For example, in the case of a benefit in which a parameter (e.g., points) is added for each viewing user, the parameter addition value is controlled so that user X1 has a larger added value than hosting user A and participating user B. To give a specific example, if participating user B is a viewing user, the added value of points corresponding to user B is determined to be "1" and awarded to hosting user A. If user X1 is a viewing user, the added value of points corresponding to user X1 is determined to be "5" and awarded to hosting user A.

[0325] To explain (2) above in more detail, if a viewing user falls into at least one of the following categories: a user who is not friends with the organizer user A, a user with a high ranking, a user who frequently watches events, or a user who has posted a large number of ratings, the viewing user is determined to be a specific user and is determined to be a viewing user who meets the specified conditions.

[0326] For example, in the case of a benefit in which a parameter (e.g., points) is added for each viewing user, the parameter is controlled so that the added value for a specific user is greater than that for a user who is not a specific user. To give a specific example, in the case of viewing user X3 who is a friend of organizing user A, the added value of points corresponding to viewing user X3 is determined to be "1" and awarded to organizing user A. In the case of viewing user X4 who is not a friend of organizing user A, the added value of points corresponding to viewing user X4 is determined to be "5" and awarded to organizing user A.

[0327] [13.5] Explanation of control based on distribution information The reward granting system 30 of this embodiment executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event (for example, a host user who has hosted the event) based on the distribution information.

[0328] In other words, in this embodiment, based on the distribution information, it is determined whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate, and if it is determined that the event is legitimate, a process is executed to grant a benefit to a user related to the event (for example, the host user who hosted the event).

[0329] For example, when the reward granting system 30 acquires the URL of a video showing the progress of an event stored in the video distribution system 50 from the terminal 20A of the host user A or the video distribution system 50, the reward granting system 30 decides to grant a reward to a user related to the event. For example, if the URL is accessible, the reward granting system 30 determines that the progress of the event is legitimate and grants a reward. It is decided that

[0330] In addition, when the bonus granting system 30 obtains distribution information (e.g., a URL) of a video indicating the implementation status of an event stored in the video distribution system 50 from the terminal 20A of the host user A or the video distribution system 50, it may determine, based on the distribution information, whether the video is being distributed so that it is made public to more than a predetermined number of users (e.g., more than 100 users), and if the video is being distributed so that it is made public to more than the predetermined number of users, it may decide to grant a bonus to users related to the event.

[0331] Furthermore, when the reward granting system 30 acquires from the terminal 20A of the organizer user A playback capability information indicating that a replay video showing the progress of the event can be played, the reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward to the user related to the event.

[0332] For example, suppose that the reward granting system 30 acquires from the terminal 20A of the host user A a two-dimensional code C1 (an example of playable information) obtained by converting the URL included in the image W1 of the event video into a two-dimensional code, as shown in Fig. 10(A). If the URL can be converted from the two-dimensional code C1, the reward granting system 30 may determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and may decide to grant a reward to the user related to the event.

[0333] In addition, when the reward-granting system 30 acquires information D2 (an example of playable information) such as an event ID included in image W2 of the event video from the terminal 20A of the host user A, as shown in Figure 10 (B), it may determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and decide to grant a reward to the user related to the event.

[0334] In addition, when the reward-granting system 30 obtains key data for playing a replay or player operation information (an example of reproducible information), it may determine that the event implementation status is legitimate and decide to grant a reward to a user related to the event.

[0335] In this embodiment, the reward granting system 30 sets a reward granting flag for the same event ID and controls so as not to grant a reward twice. That is, the system executes a process of granting a reward for an event ID for which the reward granting flag is 0. After granting the reward for the event of the event ID, the system updates the reward granting flag for the event ID to 1. In this embodiment, the process of granting a reward twice may be executed exceptionally. For example, when a reset condition is met, the system may update the reward granting flag to 0 and grant the reward again.

[0336] (1) Control based on event identification information The privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment may execute a process of granting a privilege based on distribution information and an event ID (event identification information).

[0337] For example, if the video information or video accompanying information included in the distribution information contains the event ID data "001" of the event Ev1 for which application information for the event Ev1 was obtained, the bonus awarding system 30 determines that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and decides to award a bonus.

[0338] In this way, it is possible to confirm that the requested event is actually being held, and to determine that the privilege should be given to a user whose event holding is legitimate.

[0339] The reward granting system 30 of this embodiment executes a process of granting a reward based on the event ID of the event for which the application information for the event has been acquired and the distribution ID included in the distribution information. That is, it may be determined whether the event identification information and the distribution identification information match, and if the event identification information and the distribution identification information match, it may be determined that a benefit is to be granted.

[0340] For example, the bonus granting system 30 may use an analysis algorithm to identify an event ID from a distribution ID issued by the video distribution system 50 (or the bonus granting system 30) to analyze the event ID from the distribution ID, and if the analyzed event ID matches the event ID of the event for which the event application information was obtained, it may determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and decide to grant a bonus.

[0341] In addition, when the bonus awarding system 30 acquires information D2 (an example of playable information) such as an event ID included in image W2 of the event video from the terminal 20A of the organizer user A, as shown in Figure 10 (B), if the event ID included in the acquired information D2 matches the event ID of the event for which the event application information was acquired, it may determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and decide to award a bonus.

[0342] (2) Control based on publicly available information The privilege granting system 30 of this embodiment may execute a process of granting a privilege based on the public realization information (an example of distribution information).

[0343] For example, the reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward to a user related to an event based on the disclosure realization information (for example, based on the value of the disclosure flag F1).

[0344] In other words, when the disclosure flag F1 = 1, the reward granting system 30 determines that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and determines that a reward should be granted to the user related to the event. On the other hand, when the disclosure flag F1 = 0, the reward granting system 30 may determine that the implementation status of the event is not legitimate and determines that a reward should not be granted to the user related to the event. In this way, the hosting user can be encouraged to implement an event that can withstand disclosure by a third party.

[0345] (3) Control based on viewing information The privilege granting system 30 may also execute a process of granting a privilege based on viewing information (an example of distribution information).

[0346] For example, when the engagement value (an example of viewing information) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may determine that the implementation status of the event is valid and may determine to grant a reward.

[0347] Specifically, the bonus awarding system 30 determines that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and decides to award a bonus if at least one of the following conditions is met: the number of viewers is a predetermined number or more (e.g., 100 or more), the like rating value is a predetermined value or more (e.g., 10 or more), and the value indicating the level of excitement is a predetermined value or more (e.g., the number of comments is 5 or more).

[0348] The like rating value is the total number of positive evaluations, such as "likes" and "high ratings," that are entered for the event video.

[0349] The engagement value is not limited to the number of comments, but may be at least one of the number of tips, the number of viewers, and the like value.

[0350] In addition, the more the number of views, the better the bonus content may be. The value of the standard may be increased.

[0351] Here, the "benefit value" refers to, for example, the quantity of an item that is a benefit for holding an event, or parameters such as the attack power, defense power, recovery power, and rarity of the item.

[0352] The reward system 30 may also provide a reward with a higher value for the engagement. The reward system 30 may also provide a reward with a higher value for the engagement. In particular, the reward system 30 may provide a reward with a higher value for the high evaluation. The reward system 30 may also provide a reward with a higher value for the high evaluation.

[0353] For example, the reward granting system 30 may determine whether a viewing condition is met based on the viewing information, and if the viewing condition is met, may determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and execute a process of granting a reward. In other words, the reward granting system 30 may execute a process of granting a reward to a user related to the event if the viewing condition is met, that is, the engagement value (e.g., the number of views) of a video of the event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0354] In addition, the bonus awarding system 30 may determine to award a bonus when the viewing conditions are met, that is, the number of views is a predetermined number or more (e.g., 10 or more) and the high rating value is a predetermined value or more (e.g., 5 or more).

[0355] The privilege granting system 30 may also define a plurality of viewing conditions based on the viewing information, and if at least one of the viewing conditions is met, determine that the implementation status of the event is legitimate and determine to grant a privilege.

[0356] For example, the reward granting system 30 sets a first viewing condition that the number of views is equal to or greater than a first predetermined number of views (e.g., 10 or more) and the high rating value is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value (e.g., 5 or more), and a second viewing condition that the number of views is equal to or greater than the second predetermined number of views (e.g., 100 or more) and the high rating value is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value (e.g., 2 or more). The reward granting system 30 then determines to grant a reward when at least one of the first viewing condition and the second viewing condition is satisfied. In this way, the viewing conditions can be varied, thereby providing many users with a chance to receive a reward.

[0357] [13.6] Event Content Control The reward granting system 30 may also execute a process of granting a reward based on the "content of the event." That is, the reward granting system 30 may execute a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event based on at least one of the above-mentioned "application information," "distribution information," and "content of the event."

[0358] Here, the "content of the event" refers to information that the reward-granting system 30 obtains by analyzing distribution information from the video distribution system 50, information that the reward-granting system 30 obtains from the game server 10, and the like.

[0359] In addition, "event content" refers to at least one of the following: (1) the number of participating users, (2) user information of participating users, (3) the scale of the event, (4) the duration of the event, (5) the overall duration of the event, (6) the status of other similar events and the number of events held, (7) the rarity of the event, (8) the characters used, (9) the game genre, (10) the tournament rules, and (11) information on whether or not a specific situation occurred during the event.

[0360] In addition, the privilege granting system 30 changes the viewing conditions described above depending on the content of the event. Good too.

[0361] (1) Number of participating users The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the number of users participating in the event. In this case, the reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward when the number of users participating in the event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 2 or more).

[0362] Furthermore, the benefit granting system 30 may determine to grant a benefit when a user other than the user who is hosting the event is participating in the event.

[0363] The reward system 30 may also determine the content of the reward depending on the number of participating users. For example, the reward may be controlled so that the more participating users there are, the better the reward content. Alternatively, the more participating users there are, the higher the value of the reward may be.

[0364] The reward granting system 30 may also execute a process of granting a reward based on the viewing information and the number of participating users.

[0365] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event. For example, if the number of participating users is 10 or less, the predetermined value may be set to 10; if the number of participating users is 11 to 20, the predetermined value may be set to 100; and if the number of participating users is 21 or more, the predetermined value may be set to 200.

[0366] (2) User information of participating users The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the user information of the participating user.

[0367] That is, the benefit granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a benefit for each participating user of the event, depending on the relationship between the combination of the event hosting user A and the participating user of the event.

[0368] For example, if the number of combinations of friend relationships between event organizer user A and participating users of the event is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 2 or more), it may be determined that a benefit is to be granted.

[0369] Furthermore, the benefit granting system 30 may determine the content of the benefit for each participating user of the event depending on the relationship between the combination of the event hosting user A and the participating users of the event.

[0370] For example, the fewer the number of combinations of friend relationships between event organizer user A and participating users of the event, the better the benefits. Also, the fewer the number of combinations of friend relationships, the higher the value of the benefits.

[0371] The reward granting system 30 may also execute a process of granting a reward based on the viewing information and the user information of the participating users.

[0372] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., the number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., the number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a user related to the event: When providing a benefit, the predetermined value may be determined according to the user information of the participating users. For example, the predetermined value may be determined according to the number of combinations in which the relationship between event organizer user A and the participating users of the event is a friend relationship. Specifically, if the number of combinations is 10 or less, the predetermined value is set to 10; if the number of combinations is 11 to 20, the predetermined value is set to 100; and if the number of combinations is 21 or more, the predetermined value is set to 200.

[0373] (3) Scale of the event The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the scale of the event.

[0374] "Event size" refers to the number of people that can be accommodated at an event held at a venue in the real world.

[0375] For example, if the event venue has a maximum capacity of 1,000 people, the event size value is determined to be 1,000.

[0376] The "scale of the event" may also be the number of countries in which the event video will be released. For example, if the number of countries in which the event video will be released is three, the scale value of the event will be set to three.

[0377] The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the scale (scale value) of the event. In such a case, the reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward when the scale value of the event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 1000 or greater).

[0378] The reward system 30 may determine the content of the reward depending on the scale value of the event. For example, the reward may be controlled so that the greater the scale value of the event (e.g., the number of people the event can accommodate and / or the number of countries to which it is open), the better the reward content. Alternatively, the greater the scale value of the event, the higher the reward value.

[0379] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event, and the predetermined value may be determined according to the scale value of the event. Specifically, if the scale value of the event is 10 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 10; if the scale value of the event is 11 or more and 20 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 100; and if the scale value of the event is 21 or more, the predetermined value may be determined to be 200.

[0380] (4) Event period The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the duration of the event. In such a case, the reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward if the duration of the event is equal to or longer than a predetermined period (for example, five hours or longer).

[0381] The reward system 30 may determine the reward content depending on the duration of the event. For example, the reward content may be controlled so that the longer the event duration, the better the reward content. Also, the longer the event duration, the higher the reward value.

[0382] Furthermore, the benefit granting system 30 may control the benefits to be given better when the start time of the event period falls within a predetermined time period (for example, between 7 pm and 10 pm).

[0383] For example, the reward system 30 may calculate the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of the event video. When a viewing condition that the number of viewers (listeners) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is met, a privilege may be granted to a user related to the event, and the predetermined value may be determined according to the duration of the event. Specifically, if the duration of the event is 10 hours or less, the predetermined value is set to 10, if the duration of the event is 11 hours or more and 20 hours or less, the predetermined value is set to 100, and if the duration of the event is 21 hours or more, the predetermined value is set to 200.

[0384] (5) Overall duration of the event The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the total duration of the event. In this case, the reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward if the total duration of the event is equal to or longer than a predetermined period (e.g., 5 hours or longer).

[0385] The total period of an event refers to the total period of each event when an event is held multiple times over different periods.

[0386] The reward system 30 may determine the reward content according to the total duration of the event. For example, the reward content may be controlled so that the longer the total duration of the event, the better the reward content. Also, the longer the total duration of the event, the higher the reward value.

[0387] For example, if the start time of the event period falls within a predetermined time period (for example, between 7 PM and 10 PM) a predetermined number of times or more (for example, three or more times), the bonus content may be controlled to be better.

[0388] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event. Specifically, if the total duration of the event is 10 hours or less, the predetermined value may be set to 10; if the total duration of the event is 11 hours or more but less than 20 hours, the predetermined value may be set to 100; and if the total duration of the event is 21 hours or more, the predetermined value may be set to 200.

[0389] (6) Status of other events and number of other events held The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the status of other events.

[0390] For example, the benefit granting system 30 may determine to grant a benefit when there is another event Ev2 in the same game (for example, an RPG game) as the event Ev1 for which a holding application has been accepted.

[0391] The bonus granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a bonus based on the number EX of events held in the same game as the event Ev1 for which a request to hold the event has been accepted. In this case, the bonus granting system 30 may determine to grant a bonus if the number EX of events held is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 10 or greater).

[0392] The benefit granting system 30 may also determine the content of the benefit depending on the number of events EX. For example, the benefit may be controlled so that the greater the number of events EX, the better the benefit content. Also, the greater the number of events EX, the higher the value of the benefit.

[0393] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event. The predetermined value may be determined according to the number of events EX. Specifically, when the number of events EX is 10 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 10, and the number of events E may be determined to be 10. If X is 11 or more and 20 or less, the predetermined value is determined to be 100, and if the number of events EX is 21 or more, the predetermined value is determined to be 200.

[0394] (7) Event rarity The reward granting system 30 may determine whether to grant a reward based on the rarity of the event. The rarity of the event is defined in advance by the administrator of the event management system 40 or the reward granting system 30. The reward granting system 30 determines to grant a reward when the rarity of the event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 3 or greater).

[0395] The reward granting system 30 may perform control so that the more rare the event, the better the reward content. Also, the more rare the event, the higher the reward value.

[0396] Furthermore, the benefit granting system 30 may determine that the rarity of an event is high when the participating users of the event include a predetermined special user.

[0397] The reward granting system 30 may control the reward content so that it is better when a predetermined special user is included among the participating users of the event. Also, the reward value may be higher when a predetermined special user is included among the participating users of the event.

[0398] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event, and the predetermined value may be determined according to the rarity of the event. Specifically, when the rarity of the event is 2 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 10; when the rarity of the event is 3 or more and 4 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 100; and when the rarity of the event is 5 or more, the predetermined value may be determined to be 200.

[0399] (8) Characters used The bonus granting system 30 may determine that a bonus is to be granted when the characters used in the event include a predetermined specific character (for example, a rare character).

[0400] Furthermore, the bonus granting system 30 may control the bonus content to be better when the characters used in the event include a predetermined specific character (for example, a rare character). Furthermore, the bonus value may be higher when the characters used in the event are a predetermined specific character (for example, a rare character).

[0401] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event, and the predetermined value may be determined according to the character used. Specifically, if the character used in the event is a predetermined specific character (e.g., a rare character), the predetermined value may be determined to be 10, and if the character used in the event is not a predetermined specific character (e.g., a rare character), the predetermined value may be determined to be 100.

[0402] (9) Game genre The reward system 30 may determine that a reward is to be given when the game genre of the event is a specific game genre (for example, an RPG game). The game type and game attributes are indicated.

[0403] The reward granting system 30 may also determine the reward content depending on the type of game genre of the event. For example, the reward granting system 30 may determine an item that can be used in the game of the event as the reward.

[0404] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event. Specifically, if the game genre of the event is a specific game genre, the reward granting system 30 may determine the predetermined value to be 10, and if the game genre of the event is not a specific game genre, the reward granting system 30 may determine the predetermined value to be 100.

[0405] (10) Event rules The benefit granting system 30 may determine to grant a benefit when the conditions (rules) of the event are met.

[0406] For example, the reward system 30 may determine to reward a reward when a game event satisfies an event condition that 10 or more people play a game using a predetermined map of the game. The event condition may be defined in advance by the organizer.

[0407] When multiple event conditions exist, the reward system 30 may determine the reward content according to the number of conditions that are met. For example, the reward content may be controlled so that the more conditions that are met, the better the reward content. Alternatively, the more conditions that are met, the higher the reward value.

[0408] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may determine the predetermined value according to the rules of the event. Specifically, if the rules of the event are satisfied, the predetermined value may be set to 10, and if the rules of the event are not satisfied, the predetermined value may be set to 100.

[0409] (11) Information on whether a specific situation occurred during the event The reward granting system 30 may determine that a reward should be granted if a specific situation occurs during the event.

[0410] For example, when a situation occurs in which a specific enemy character is defeated in a game event, the bonus granting system 30 may determine that a specific situation has occurred and may determine that a bonus is to be granted. Note that the specific situation may be defined in advance by the management side.

[0411] The reward system 30 may determine the content of the reward depending on the number of occurrences of a specific situation. For example, the reward may be controlled so that the more the number of occurrences of a specific situation, the better the reward. Alternatively, the more the number of occurrences of a specific situation, the higher the value of the reward.

[0412] For example, when the engagement value (e.g., number of views) of a video of an event satisfies a viewing condition that the engagement value (e.g., number of views) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the reward granting system 30 may grant a reward to a user related to the event, and the predetermined value may be determined according to the number of occurrences of a specific situation. Specifically, if the number of occurrences of the specific situation is 2 or less, the predetermined value may be determined to be 10; if the number of occurrences of the specific situation is 3 to 4, the predetermined value may be determined to be 100; and if the number of occurrences of the specific situation is 5 or more, the predetermined value may be determined to be 200.

[0413] [13.7] Control based on event conditions The reward granting system 30 may determine whether an event satisfies the event holding conditions, and if the event satisfies the event holding conditions, execute a process of granting a reward to a user related to the event. In other words, if the event holding conditions are not satisfied, the reward granting system 30 controls not to grant a reward.

[0414] The reward granting system 30 determines whether the event Ev1 satisfies the event hosting conditions at a predetermined timing for the event Ev1 (for example, when the application information for the event Ev1 is acquired, when the event Ev1 is held, etc.), and determines to grant a reward if the event Ev1 satisfies the event hosting conditions. On the other hand, the reward granting system 30 determines not to grant a reward if the event Ev1 does not satisfy the event hosting conditions at the predetermined timing. In this way, the quality of the event can be improved.

[0415] The "conditions for holding an event" are as described above, but in the case of a game event, for example, there may be other conditions for holding an event, such as the number of characters used in the event being 10 or more.

[0416]

[14] Flowchart [14.1] Flowchart showing the flow of the reward granting process FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the benefit granting process of this embodiment.

[0417] First, the reward granting system 30 acquires application information for the event (step S1). Next, it acquires distribution information for the event (step S2). Next, it determines whether or not to grant a reward (step S3). Then, if it is determined that a reward should be granted (Y in step S3), it determines the content of the reward (step S4). Then, it grants the reward to users related to the event (step S5). If it is determined that a reward should not be granted (N in step S3), it ends. This ends the processing.

[0418] [14.2] Flowchart for circulating and processing rewards 14 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the reward granting system 30 circulating and searching for videos of an event and granting rewards. This process is performed at a predetermined cycle (for example, at 2:00 AM every day).

[0419] This process also collects access information for videos posted to the video distribution system 50, i.e., access information for event videos, periodically monitors the status of the event, and performs a bonus granting process when the specified bonus granting conditions are met.

[0420] First, the reward granting system determines whether there is an event to be cycled (step S11). For example, among the events in the application information stored in the application information storage unit 375, an event whose reward granting flag is "0" is set as a cycled event. In other words, an event to which a reward has not yet been granted is set as a cycled event.

[0421] Then, a loop R is executed for each event in the tour target events (steps S12 to S18).

[0422] In loop R, the video distribution system 50 is accessed (step S13) and an event video is searched for (step S14). For example, the event ID, the host user ID, and the event name of the event to be toured are used as search keywords to search for the event video.

[0423] Specifically, the reward granting system 30 uses the API provided by the video distribution system 50 to obtain search results from videos in the database 570 of the video distribution system 50 based on the search keywords.

[0424] Then, based on the search results, it is determined whether the implementation status of the event is valid (step S15).

[0425] For example, for each specified video among the search results (for example, the video ranked first or second in the search results), tour result data is generated or updated, and the legitimacy of the event implementation status is determined based on the video accompanying information in the tour result data.

[0426] For example, if the event ID, organizer user ID, and event name are included in the video accompanying information of the search result video (e.g., the first or second search result video), the event is determined to be legitimate. On the other hand, if the event ID, organizer user ID, and event name are not included in the video accompanying information of the search result video (e.g., the first or second search result video), the event is determined to be invalid.

[0427] If it is determined that the event is legitimate (Y in step S15), the content of the benefit is determined (step S16). The benefit is then granted to the user related to the event (step S17). If a benefit is granted, the benefit granting flag corresponding to the event ID of the event is updated to "1".

[0428] On the other hand, if it is determined that the event is not legitimate (N in step S15), it is determined that the benefit will not be granted, and loop R is executed for the next unprocessed event to be toured. If loop R has been executed for all events to be toured, the tour process ends.

[0429]

[15] Game Examples The event games used in this embodiment can be implemented in the form of competitive games, fighting games, sports games, racing games, action games, music games, training games, simulation games, puzzle games, communication games, and the like.

[0430]

[16] Example of an event In this embodiment, an example of a game event has been mainly described, but the event is not limited to a game event, and may be a talk event, a stand-up comedy act, or the like.

[0431]

[17] User ID The system 1 of this embodiment may manage the user IDs of the game server 10, the user IDs of the benefit granting system 30, the user IDs of the event management system 40, and the user IDs of the video distribution system 50 in a mutually linked (corresponding) manner.

[0432]

[18] About the video distribution system A content distribution system may be used instead of the video distribution system 50 of this embodiment. The content distribution system is a system that distributes content data such as text, audio, photos, and video, as well as video.

[0433]

[19] Explanation of relay server The system 1 of this embodiment may be provided with a relay server 60 as shown in Fig. 15. The relay server 60 mainly relays data between the game server 10 and the viewer's terminal 20, and between the video distribution system 50 and the viewer's terminal 20, and provides a service in which the viewer can participate. A device that provides interactive streaming content.

[0434] The relay server 60 controls the terminals 20 of users playing the game, the terminals 20 of viewers, the game server 10, and the video distribution system 50 so that they are connected to each other via a network and can send and receive data between them.

[0435] The viewer's terminal 20 may transmit evaluation information (tip value, tip item, high rating, etc.) associated with the selected character (character ID) to the relay server 60, and the relay server 60 may receive the evaluation information associated with the selected character (character ID) from the viewer's terminal 20.

[0436] In addition, the viewer's terminal 20 may transmit the viewer's input information (touch operation information) to the relay server 60 from the start to the end of the game play by the user who is the game operator, and the relay server 60 may analyze the input information received from the viewer's terminal 20 and determine information about the character selected by the viewer (e.g., character ID) and evaluation information associated with the character.

[0437] Then, the relay server 60 may transmit information about the character selected by the viewer and evaluation information associated with the character to the game server 10, and the game server 10 may receive information about the character selected by the viewer and evaluation information associated with the character from the relay server 60 and perform game processing.

[0438]

[16] Other The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, terms cited in the specification or drawings as broadly defined or synonymous terms can be replaced with broadly defined or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

[0439] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0440] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail as above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0441] 1 system, 10 game servers, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C terminals, 30. Bonus system, 40. Event management system, 50. Video distribution system, 60 relay servers, 100 processing unit, 114 game processing unit, 116 presentation unit, 119 reception unit, 120 communication control unit, 121 web processing unit, 122 management unit, 123 notification unit, 130 image generation unit, 140 sound processing unit, 160 input unit, 170 memory unit, 171 main memory unit, 172 image buffer, 174 game data memory unit, 176 user information storage unit, 180 information storage medium, 196 communication unit, 200 processing unit, 211 display control unit, 212 reception unit, 213 notification unit, 220 communication control unit, 221 Web browser, 230 image generation unit, 240 sound processing unit, 260 input unit, 262 detection unit, 270 storage unit, 271 main memory unit, 272 image buffer, 274 game data memory unit, 276 user information storage unit, 280 information storage medium, 290 display section, 292 sound output section, 296 communication section, 300 processing unit, 311 application control unit, 312 distribution information control unit, 313 monitoring control unit, 314 privilege granting unit, 316 presentation unit, 319 reception unit, 320 communication control unit, 321 web processing unit, 322 management unit, 323 notification unit, 330 image generation unit, 340 sound processing unit, 360 input unit, 370 memory unit, 371 main memory unit, 372 image buffer, 373 user information memory unit, 375 application information storage unit, 376 distribution information storage unit, 380 Information storage media, 396 Communication Department, 530 memory unit, 540 database, 550 posted video information set

Claims

1. A reward granting system that executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event, The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; an application control unit that acquires application information for the host user to apply to host the event; a distribution information control unit that acquires distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy a predetermined condition; a monitoring control unit that monitors whether the implementation status of the event is valid based on the distribution information; a reward granting unit that executes a process of granting the reward to a user related to the event when it is determined that the implementation status of the event is legitimate, The distribution information control unit Obtaining distribution information from the video distribution system, The monitoring control unit A reward granting system characterized by determining that the implementation status of the event is legitimate when identification information of the event for which application information was obtained is detected from the distribution information obtained from the video distribution system.

2. In claim 1, The distribution information is Contains information about the event video posted to the video distribution system, The distribution information control unit Acquire information about the event video from the video distribution system; The monitoring control unit A reward granting system characterized by determining that the implementation status of the event is legitimate when identification information of the event for which application information was obtained is detected from information about the event video obtained from the video distribution system.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The distribution information is including distribution identification information for identifying the distribution information; The distribution information control unit Acquire distribution identification information from the video distribution system; The monitoring control unit A reward granting system characterized by analyzing event identification information from distribution identification information obtained from the video distribution system, and determining that the implementation status of the event is legitimate if the analyzed event identification information matches the event identification information for which application information was obtained.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The distribution information control unit Among the events for which application information has been acquired, events for which no benefit has yet been granted are set as events to be patrolled, and at least one of the identification information of the event to be patrolled, the information of the sponsor user, and the event name is used as a keyword; periodically accessing a database of the video distribution system, searching for videos from among the videos stored in the database based on the keyword, and obtaining information about the videos in the search results; The monitoring control unit A reward granting system characterized by determining that the implementation status of an event for which application information was obtained is legitimate when, for each piece of information related to a video obtained from the video distribution system, identification information for the event for which application information was obtained is detected from the information related to the video.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The benefit granting unit A privilege granting system characterized in that the content of the privilege is changed according to the predetermined condition.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The distribution information is A privilege granting system characterized by including at least one of image information showing the implementation status of the event for which application information was obtained, and reproducible information that allows the image information to be reproduced on the viewing user's terminal device.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 6, The distribution information is The implementation status of the event for which the application information for the event has been acquired includes public realization information indicating that the event has been publicly realized for the viewing user, The benefit granting unit A reward granting system characterized by executing a process of granting the reward based on the disclosure realization information.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 7, The distribution information is A reward giving system characterized by including viewing information from the viewing user.

9. In claim 8, The benefit granting unit A method for providing a special benefit, comprising the steps of: providing the special benefit based on the viewing information; Grant system.

10. In claim 8 or 9, The benefit granting unit A privilege granting system, characterized in that a plurality of viewing conditions based on the viewing information is defined, and when at least one of the viewing conditions is satisfied, a process of granting the privilege is executed.

11. In any one of claims 1 to 10, The benefit granting unit A reward granting system that executes a process for granting the reward based on the content of the event.

12. In any one of claims 1 to 11, The benefit granting unit A reward granting system, characterized in that a process of granting the reward is executed based on at least one of the number of participating users and user information of the participating users.

13. In any one of claims 1 to 12, The benefit granting unit A reward-granting system that executes a process of granting the reward to at least one of the host user and the participating users.

14. In any one of claims 1 to 13, The benefit granting unit A reward granting system characterized by determining whether the event satisfies an event holding condition, and if the event satisfies the event holding condition, executing a process of granting the reward to a user related to the event.

15. A program that causes a computer to perform a process of granting a benefit to a user related to an event, The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; an application control unit that acquires application information for the host user to apply to host the event; a distribution information control unit that acquires distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy a predetermined condition; a monitoring control unit that monitors whether the implementation status of the event is valid based on the distribution information; causing the computer to function as a reward granting unit that executes a process of granting the reward to a user related to the event when it is determined that the implementation status of the event is legitimate; The distribution information control unit Obtaining distribution information from the video distribution system, The monitoring control unit A program characterized by determining that the implementation status of the event is legitimate when identification information of the event for which application information was obtained is detected from the distribution information obtained from the video distribution system.

16. A reward granting method in which a computer executes a process of granting a reward to a user related to an event, the method comprising: The event is held by a host user and is open to participation by participating users; acquiring application information for the host user to apply to host the event; acquiring distribution information indicating that the implementation status of the event for which application information for the event has been acquired has been made available for distribution to viewing users who satisfy a predetermined condition; monitoring whether the implementation status of the event is legitimate based on the distribution information; and when it is determined that the implementation status of the event is legitimate, executing a process of granting the benefit to a user related to the event; The step of acquiring distribution information includes: Obtaining distribution information from the video distribution system, The monitoring step includes: A method of granting benefits characterized by determining that the implementation status of the event is legitimate when identification information of the event for which application information was obtained is detected from the distribution information obtained from the video distribution system.

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