Program, terminal device, system

Abstract

To provide a system capable of increasing fun in a virtual space.SOLUTION: A system 1 includes: a virtual space control section 233; a photographing control section 235; and a parameter setting section. The virtual space control section 233 defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a photographing camera. The photographing control section 235 photographs a predetermined photographing area within a virtual space in which the first avatar and the second avatar are included. The parameter setting section sets a control parameter for defining a control mode of a photographing camera when photographing a predetermined photographing area on the basis of event information correlated with a situation of an event occurring in a virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a terminal device, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the information processing system described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of characters become close to each other in a virtual space, a photograph is taken with the characters in a specific pose. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-75441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The information processing system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of the interest in the virtual space. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program, a terminal device, and a system that can improve the interest in a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The first aspect comprises a computer comprising: a virtual space control means for defining a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a photographing camera; an imaging control means for imaging a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The program functions as a parameter setting means for setting control parameters that define the control manner of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area, based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space.

[0006] In a first aspect, the event occurs in association with a predetermined area of ​​the virtual space; The parameter setting means can set the control parameters so as to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar and the second avatar are located within the predetermined area and associated with the event.

[0007] In the first aspect, the event information can include information on at least one of the number and positions of the second avatars located within the predetermined area. In the first aspect, the control parameters can include a setting parameter that defines whether or not a predetermined part of the second avatar is to be included in the predetermined photographing area.

[0008] In a first aspect, the events include a first event that occurs in association with a first area of ​​the virtual space, and a second event that occurs in association with a second area of ​​the virtual space; the parameter setting means sets the control parameters to include the first avatar and the second avatar when the first avatar is located in the first area and associated with the first event, and the second avatar is located in the second area and associated with the second event; The event information may include information associated with a status of the second event.

[0009] In a first aspect, the second event may occur in each of a plurality of second areas in the virtual space, The event information may further include information on the number of the second events.

[0010] In a first aspect, the virtual space includes: a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are placed; a second virtual space different from the first virtual space, The event can occur in the second virtual space.

[0011] In a first aspect, the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area in the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information may be information associated with the progress of the game.

[0012] In the first aspect, the parameter setting means can further set the control parameter based on whether the first user is a player or a spectator of the game. In the first aspect, the parameter setting means can further set the control parameter based on whether the second user is a player or a spectator of the game.

[0013] In the first aspect, when the event is a first event, the photographing control means acquires a first image by photographing a predetermined photographing area in the first virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the photographing camera; The computer image acquisition means for acquiring a second image, which is an image of the second virtual space, when a second event occurs in the second virtual space; It may further function as a synthesis means for synthesizing the first image and the second image.

[0014] In the first aspect, the virtual space control means can determine a display mode of the second avatar in the virtual space based on setting information set for the second avatar by the second user. The second aspect of the present invention provides a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The terminal device is equipped with a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define the control mode of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area, based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention provides a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that captures an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; The system includes a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define the control manner of the shooting camera when shooting the specified shooting area based on event information that corresponds to the status of an event occurring in the virtual space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a program, a terminal device, and a system that can improve the interest in a virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battle game according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a photographing camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a time chart showing an example of the behavior of an avatar in the metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a metaverse according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image captured by the camera of the embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of the operation of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in the metaverse according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in the metaverse according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in the metaverse according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in the metaverse according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a game device according to a seventh modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a composite image according to a seventh modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state of the metaverse in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [Embodiment] An embodiment of a system 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <Game Description> 1, in a system 1 of this embodiment, a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 6, and a game provided by the server device 2 is executed on the game devices 5. In this embodiment, the game devices 5 correspond to terminal devices.

[0019] The games of this embodiment include a search game and a battle game. An exploration game is a game in which a user can explore a virtual space by controlling an avatar in the virtual space. The virtual space is a three-dimensional world created on the Internet. An avatar is a character that can be controlled as a user's alter ego in the virtual space. Hereinafter, a virtual space in which multiple users each control an avatar and can engage in various interactions may be referred to as a metaverse. Examples of such interactions include verbal communication using text or voice, dialogue using gestures, and non-verbal communication such as sharing the same space and working together to achieve a common goal. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a metaverse VS provided by a server device 2. Note that while FIG. 2 depicts the metaverse VS in two dimensions, the actual metaverse VS exists as a three-dimensional space. The metaverse VS contains multiple avatars A10, each controlled by a different user. Each user can freely explore the metaverse VS via the avatar A10 by operating a game device 5.

[0020] In the metaverse VS of this embodiment, multiple pairs of virtual game cabinets MT10 are placed. Each user can play a competitive game against other users by operating an avatar A10 close to the virtual game cabinet MT10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a battle area S10 is set in the virtual game cabinet MT11, which is a rectangular area indicated by a two-dot chain line with the virtual game cabinet MT11 at its center. Suppose a user U11 positions his / her avatar A11 within the battle area S10, and another user U12 positions his / her avatar A12 within the battle area S10. In this case, the screen displayed on each user U11's game device 5 transitions from the Metaverse VS screen to a virtual game space GS screen G10 as shown in FIG. 3. This allows each user U11 and U12 to play a battle game within the same virtual game space GS. In the virtual game space GS, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, there exists a player character C11 operated by the user U11 and a player character C12 operated by the user U12. The battle game is a fighting game in which the player character C11 operated by the user U11 and the player character C12 operated by the user U12 can battle each other. When the competitive game ends, the screen displayed on each user U11, U12's game device 5 returns from the virtual game space GS screen to the metaverse VS screen. In this manner, the game of this embodiment progresses by moving back and forth between the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS. In this embodiment, the metaverse VS corresponds to a first virtual space, and the virtual game space GS corresponds to a second virtual space different from the first virtual space.

[0021] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when users U11 and U12 are playing a competitive game in the virtual game space GS, another user U13 can watch the competitive game being played by users U11 and U12. Specifically, when user U13 operates his / her own game device 5 to position avatar A13 within a viewing area S11, which is a circular area centered around the virtual game cabinet MT11 and indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the screen displayed on user U13's game device 5 transitions from the Metaverse VS screen to the screen G10 of the virtual game space GS shown in FIG. 3. This allows user U13 to watch the competitive game being played by users U11 and U12. Therefore, for example, if user U11 operating avatar A11 is a well-known player, many avatars may gather around the virtual game cabinet MT11 to watch the competitive game.

[0022] Such a metaverse and game are executed using a game device 5, which is a home game console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet. In the following, an example is given in which the game device 5 is a smartphone.

[0023] In the following, an avatar operated by a user playing a game in the virtual game space GS will also be referred to as an "avatar in the game," and an avatar operated by a user watching the game will also be referred to as an "avatar in the game." <System Overview> As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5.

[0024] The server device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game device 5, more specifically, manages the game data for each account. The game device 5 executes the search game and the battle game based on the user's operation. To this end, the game device 5 receives, specifically downloads and installs, a game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6. Each user is assigned account information associated with the game device 5. The account information includes identification information, a password, and the like. The account information is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication on the server device 2.

[0025] After user authentication, mutual communication becomes possible between the server device 2 and the game device 5. After logging in, the game device 5 receives data necessary for the progress of the search game and the competitive game, such as data related to the game progress status, from the server device 2, and then progresses the search game and the competitive game while outputting game images and sounds based on user operations.

[0026] <Game system configuration> Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of each of the server device 2 and the game device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. <Server device configuration> The server device 2 provides a game to the game device 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the server device 2 has a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the network interface unit 23 are electrically connected.

[0027] The network interface 21 is communicably connected to each game device 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet or a LAN. The storage unit 22 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program of this embodiment, as well as various data such as a user DB (Data Base) 221.

[0028] The user DB 221 stores user information and information about characters operated by the user, etc., associated with each identification number of a user playing a game. The user information includes information such as the user name and user rank. The character information includes information about avatars that can be operated in the metaverse VS and information about player characters that can be operated in the virtual game space GS of the fighting game. The avatar information includes information about the appearance of the avatar and information about items associated with the avatar. The player character information includes information about the player's level and status, items associated with the player character, etc.

[0029] The control unit 23 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2. By executing various programs, the control unit 23 functions as information processing means 231, matching means 232, virtual space control means 233, game progression means 234, photography control means 235, parameter setting means 236, and image editing means 237. In this embodiment, these means 231 to 237 correspond to the information processing unit, matching unit, virtual space control unit, game progression unit, photography control unit, parameter setting unit, and image acquisition unit, respectively.

[0030] -Information processing means- The information processing means 231 transmits and receives various data to and from each game device 5. Main data received by the information processing means 231 includes game program download request information, account information, game data, etc. Main data transmitted by the information processing means 231 includes information for confirming that the game device 5 has received the game program, etc.

[0031] -Method of verification- The verification means 232 uses the user identification information received from the game device 5 to authenticate the user account. -Virtual space control means- The virtual space control means 233 generates a metaverse VS and controls the generated metaverse VS. For example, the virtual space control means 233 generates a metaverse VS in which a plurality of virtual game cabinets MT10 are arranged as shown in Fig. 2. The virtual space control means 233 also arranges each user's avatar A10 in the metaverse VS and causes the avatar to operate in the metaverse VS based on the user's operation of the game device 5.

[0032] Furthermore, the virtual space control means 233 places a photographing camera Ca in the metaverse VS as shown in Fig. 4. The photographing camera Ca is a virtual camera, and may be visible within the metaverse VS or may not be visible within the metaverse VS. The photographing camera Ca is placed in association with each of multiple avatars A10 present in the metaverse VS. For example, a photographing camera Ca is associated with each of the avatars A11 to A13 shown in Fig. 2. The photographing camera Ca associated with avatar A11 is basically used to photograph a predetermined area of ​​the metaverse VS including avatar A11.

[0033] -Game progression- The game progression means 234 progresses the competitive game based on the operation of the game device 5 by the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when two avatars A11 and A12 are associated with a pair of virtual game cabinets MT11 in the metaverse VS, the screen displayed on each of the users U11 and U12's game devices 5 transitions from the metaverse VS screen to a screen of the virtual game space GS of the competitive game. The game progression means 234 then moves one player character C11 in the virtual game space GS based on the operation of the game device 5 of the user U11, and moves the other player character C12 in the virtual game space GS based on the operation of the game device 5 of the other user U12. In the competitive game played in the virtual game space GS, the user wins by reducing the hit points of the opponent's player character to a predetermined value or less (typically to zero) based on the operation of the user's player character. On the other hand, the user loses if the hit points of the user's player character fall below a predetermined value (typically to zero) based on the operation of the opponent's player character. When the competitive game between users U11 and U12 ends, the game progression means 234 transitions the screen displayed on the game device 5 of each user U11 and U12 from the screen of the virtual game space GS of the competitive game to the screen of the Metaverse VS.

[0034] -Shooting control means- The photographing control means 235 photographs the inside of the metaverse VS using a photographing camera Ca placed in the metaverse VS, and acquires an image of the inside of the metaverse VS. For example, the photographing control means 235 photographs a predetermined area in the metaverse VS so as to include the avatar A11 using the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the photographing control means 235 photographs a predetermined area in the metaverse VS that includes the avatar A11 operated by the user U11 and the avatars operated by other users, thereby acquiring videos and still images that satisfy predetermined photographing conditions. The predetermined photographing conditions are, for example, the conditions shown in a1 to a3 below.

[0035] (a1) A specified event occurs. (a2) A predetermined number or more of other avatars are present around the avatar A11. (a3) A specific avatar exists around avatar A11.

[0036] The predetermined events in the condition a1 broadly include events that occur in the fighting game and events that occur in the Metaverse VS. An event that occurs in a competitive game is, for example, an event that the competitive game being played by the user U11 becomes exciting, or an event that the competitive game being watched by the user U11 becomes exciting. An "event that makes the competitive game exciting" is, for example, when a player character lands a special move in the competitive game, or when the situation becomes complicated in the final round of the competitive game.

[0037] An event that occurs in the Metaverse VS is, for example, an event in which a predetermined number or more avatars gather in the spectator area S11 of a predetermined virtual game cabinet MT10, or an event in which a concert is being held within the Metaverse VS. The condition a2 corresponds to a condition that a large number of other avatars are present around the avatar A11. The periphery of the avatar A11 is set, for example, as a predetermined circular area centered around the avatar A11. The predetermined number may be determined in advance or may be set by the user U11.

[0038] The specific avatar in condition a3 is, for example, an avatar controlled by a famous player, an avatar wearing a special skin, etc. A famous player is, for example, a player with a high ranking in a competitive game, a famous streamer, etc. When any of the above conditions a1 to a3 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 acquires a still image by photographing with the photographing camera Ca in a photographing manner corresponding to the satisfied condition. For example, when an event occurs in which the competitive game being played by the user U11 becomes exciting as the condition a1, the photographing control means 235 causes the photographing camera Ca to photograph a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and the periphery of the virtual game cabinet in which the competitive game is being played are included in the photographing area. Furthermore, when the condition a2 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 causes the photographing camera Ca to photograph a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and other avatars existing around the avatar A11 are included in the photographing area. Furthermore, when the condition a3 is satisfied, the photographing control means 235 causes the photographing camera Ca to photograph a still image in which the avatar A11 of the user U11 and a specific avatar are included in the photographing area.

[0039] The image capturing control means 235 also constantly captures images of the inside of the metaverse VS using the image capturing camera Ca, and acquires video for a predetermined time before and after the point in time when any of the above conditions a1 to a3 is satisfied. This video includes images of the scene corresponding to the satisfied condition. For example, the video corresponding to condition a2 includes images of a scene in which many other avatars are present around the user's own avatar.

[0040] Detailed control parameters that define the shooting mode of the camera Ca when shooting still images and moving images are set by parameter setting means. Furthermore, the user U11 can set priorities for the above conditions a1, a2, and a3 by operating his / her own game device 5. For example, if the priority of condition a1 is set to be the highest, the priority of condition a3 is set to be the lowest, and the priority of condition a2 is set to be intermediate between them, the shooting control means 235 will perform shooting with the shooting camera Ca in a shooting mode corresponding to the condition a1 with the highest priority when all of conditions a1 to a3 are simultaneously satisfied.

[0041] The image capture control means 235 automatically captures at least one of a video and a still image along the timeline of the avatar A11's actions in the metaverse VS when any of the above conditions (a1) to (a3) ​​is satisfied. For example, if the avatar A11 performs an action in the metaverse VS as shown in FIG. 5, the image capture control means 235 automatically captures at least one of a video and a still image according to each situation. Note that, hereinafter, the video and the still image are collectively referred to as "images."

[0042] 5, time t10 indicates the time when user U11 logged into the game, and time t17 indicates the time when user U11 logged out of the game. The periods from time t10 to time t11, from time t14 to time t15, and from time t16 to time t17 indicate periods during which user U11 operated avatar A11 to explore the metaverse VS. The periods from time t11 to time t14 and from time t15 to time t16 indicate periods during which user U11 played the first and second competitive games, respectively. Of the period from time t11 to time t14, the period from time t11 to time t12 indicates the period during which the first round of the first competitive game was played, the period from time t13 to time t14 indicates the period during which the second round of the first competitive game was played, and the period from time t12 to time t13 indicates the period between the first and second rounds of the first competitive game.

[0043] For example, during the search period from time t10 to time t11, when a predetermined number or more of other avatars A14 are present within the judgment area S12, which is a circular area indicated by a two-dot chain line in Figure 6 and has the user's own avatar A11 at its center, the photography control means 235 determines that the above condition a2 is satisfied and automatically captures an image using the photography camera Ca.

[0044] Furthermore, for example, during the period from time 11 to time 14, when the competitive game being played by user U11 becomes exciting as a result of a special move being executed, the photographing control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied and automatically captures an image using the photographing camera Ca.

[0045] In this way, the photography control means 235 automatically captures images including the avatar A11 and other avatars along the timeline of the avatar A11's actions in the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS. That is, automatic photography by the photography camera Ca continues not only while the user U11 is operating the avatar A11 in the metaverse VS, but also while the user U11 is operating his / her own player character C11 in the virtual game space GS separate from the metaverse VS.

[0046] Every time an image is acquired, the photography control means 235 stores the acquired image file in the user DB 221. When storing the image file in the user DB 221, the photography control means 235 associates metadata with the image file, the metadata including scene information that enables determination of the circumstances under which the image file was acquired.

[0047] For example, for image files acquired during the search period from time t10 to time t11 shown in Fig. 5, the shooting control means 235 associates metadata including scene information called "first venue search" with the image files and stores the metadata in the user DB 221. Image files acquired during the search period from time t14 to time t15 are associated with metadata including scene information called "second venue search." Furthermore, image files acquired during the search period from time t16 to time t17 are associated with metadata including scene information called "third venue search."

[0048] Furthermore, for image files acquired during the battle period from time t11 to time t14 shown in Fig. 5, the photography control means 235 associates metadata including scene information "during the first battle game" with the image files and stores the metadata in the user DB 221. Image files acquired during the battle period from time t15 to time t16 are associated with metadata including scene information "during the first battle game."

[0049] The photographing control means 235 not only performs automatic photographing, but also performs so-called manual photographing at any timing instructed by the user U11 based on the operation of the game device 5 by the user U11. - Parameter setting method - The parameter setting means 236 sets various control parameters for the photographing camera Ca based on the status of events occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS when the photographing camera Ca is photographing the inside of the metaverse VS. The control parameters define the control aspects of the photographing camera Ca, such as the position, line of sight direction, and angle of view.

[0050] For example, suppose that user U11 positions avatar A11 in the observation area S11 as shown in FIG. 7 and watches a competitive game being played by avatars A40 and A41 on a virtual game cabinet MT11. Suppose that multiple avatars A30 are present around avatar A11, and each user of the multiple avatars A30 is watching the competitive game being played on the virtual game cabinet MT11. At this time, an event occurs in the Metaverse VS in which a predetermined number or more avatars are present in one observation area S11. In this case, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the shooting camera Ca associated with avatar A11, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the line of sight direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca so that it faces avatar A11, as shown in Fig. 7. The parameter setting means 236 also determines the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 7 by setting the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that avatars A40, A41 playing in the virtual game cabinet MT11 and multiple avatars A30 watching the game around avatar A11 are captured as much as possible. That is, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on the number of avatars A30. Fig. 7 illustrates a case where one avatar A31 of the multiple avatars A30 is outside the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11. In addition, the parameter setting means 236 may include other avatars A30 in the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11 as much as possible, while making it a prerequisite that the user's avatar A11 and avatars A40, A41 operated by the user in the match be included in the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11.

[0052] Furthermore, when the avatar A11 watching the game is photographed by the photographing camera Ca, the parameter setting means 236 sets the line of sight Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca to be parallel to the horizontal direction in the metaverse VS, thereby making it easier to obtain a realistic image. Note that, when the viewing direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca is set parallel to the horizontal direction, if an obstacle such as the virtual game cabinet MT11 or another avatar A30 gets between the photographing camera Ca and the avatar A11, the parameter setting means 236 may move the photographing camera Ca vertically upward within the metaverse VS. This allows the avatar A11 to be photographed from an angle looking down on it, making it possible to obtain an image as if seen from a bird's-eye perspective. In this way, the parameter setting means 236 further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca according to the positions of the virtual game cabinet MT11 and the other avatars A30.

[0053] The parameter setting means 236 may also set the line of sight direction Ca10 of the photographing camera Ca so that it deviates from the line of sight direction of the avatar A11 by a predetermined angle or more, thereby making it possible to obtain an image that gives the impression that the avatar A11 is watching a competitive game. Meanwhile, for example, suppose that a user U11 positions an avatar A11 in a battle area S10 as shown in Fig. 8 and is playing a battle game in the virtual game space GS with a user U12 who is controlling another avatar A12 who is also positioned in the battle area S10. At this time, an event in which a battle game is being played occurs in the virtual game space GS. At this time, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the shooting camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, for example, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0054] Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatars A11 and A12 in the match are included and as many other avatars A30 watching as possible are included, as shown in Fig. 8. That is, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on the number of avatars A30. Fig. 9 shows an example of a still image IM10 captured by the photographing camera Ca positioned as shown in Fig. 8.

[0055] The parameter setting means 236 may set the position of the shooting camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the faces of the multiple avatars A30 being watched are not captured in the image. This makes it easier for only the face of the user U11's own avatar A30 to be captured in the captured image, making it easier for the user U11 to recognize that the captured image is an image of the user U11's own avatar A30.

[0056] 8, if the virtual game cabinet MT11 or other avatars A30 are in the line of sight Ca10 of the shooting camera Ca due to reasons such as the large number of other avatars A30 watching the game, the parameter setting means 236 may move the shooting camera Ca vertically upward within the metaverse VS. In other words, the parameter setting means 236 may further set control parameters for the shooting camera Ca depending on the positions of the virtual game cabinet MT11 and other avatars A30.

[0057] Furthermore, the parameter setting means 236 may use the same control parameters as those used during automatic shooting described above, or may use control parameters manually set by the user, for the various control parameters of the shooting camera Ca when manual shooting is performed by the shooting control means 235.

[0058] The control parameters of the photographing camera Ca also include information on whether to include the face of an avatar A12 operated by the user U12 in an image captured by the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 operated by the user U11, for example, if the avatar A12 is included in the photographing area Ca11, Ca11. The user U12 operating the avatar A12 can set photographic conditions, which are photographing conditions for the user's avatar A12 when the user's avatar A12 is photographed by the photographing camera Ca associated with another avatar such as the avatar A11, by operating the user's game device 5. The photographic conditions include, for example, photographic conditions related to the face of the user's avatar A12. The photographing conditions for the face of the avatar A12 include, for example, a first condition that the face of the user U12 is permitted to be photographed, a second condition that the face of the user U12 is blurred, and a third condition that the face of the user U12 is replaced with another face. The user U12 can select any one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition as the photographing condition for the face of the user U12 by operating the game device 5. For example, when the user U12 selects the second condition as the photographing condition for the face of the avatar A12, if the avatar A12 is included in the photographing area Ca11,Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the face of the avatar A12 will be blurred in the image photographed by the photographing camera Ca.

[0059] Note that the parts of the avatar for which the photographing conditions can be set are not limited to the face, but may be the entire body of the avatar. - Image editing method - After the user logs out of the game, the image editing means 237 automatically creates a video file, a so-called digest video file, by piecing together multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235. The image files used when creating the digest video file include not only image files automatically acquired by the shooting control means 235, but also image files manually acquired based on user instructions. When creating the digest video file, the image editing means 237 splices together multiple video files in the order acquired by the image editing means 237 along the timeline shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0060] The image editing means 237 automatically creates a digest movie file based on the playback time and capacity of the movie file set by the user. For example, the image editing means 237 creates a digest movie file by selecting and discarding multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235 so that the playback time and capacity of the digest movie file each match the user's settings. Alternatively, the image editing means 237 creates a digest movie file by performing image processing, such as adjusting the resolution, on the multiple image files acquired by the shooting control means 235.

[0061] The digest movie file created by the image editing means 237 is transmitted from the server device 2 to the game device 5 and provided to the user. This allows the user to easily share their own actions in the metaverse VS by uploading the digest movie file to a social networking service or the like. Therefore, the playback time and capacity of the movie file set by the user are set based on, for example, the upper limit values ​​for the playback time and capacity of the movie file on the social networking service to which the digest movie file is uploaded.

[0062] <Configuration of Game Device 5> 1, the game device 5 has a display 61, a speaker 62, and a touchpad 63 either externally connected or built-in. The game device 5 also has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

[0063] The network interface 51 is communicably connected to a communication network 6 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2. The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images including various objects related to the metaverse VS and the virtual game space GS in a moving image format in accordance with the game image information output from the control unit 56. The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to a display 61, which may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

[0064] The audio processing unit 53 is connected to a speaker 62 , and reproduces and synthesizes game sounds in accordance with instructions from the control unit 56 , and outputs the sounds from the speaker 62 . The operation unit 54 is connected to the touchpad 63, and transmits and receives data relating to operation inputs to and from the touchpad 63. The user touches the touchpad 63 to input operation signals to the game device 5.

[0065] The storage unit 55 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 5, etc. The storage unit 55 stores user information. The user information is at least a part of information in a user DB 221 stored in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2. A master of user information is managed in the user DB 221, and the storage unit 55 of the game device 5 stores at least a part of the information in this master that is distributed from the server device 2.

[0066] The control unit 56 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5. By executing various programs, the control unit 56 functions as a communication means 561, a game execution means 562, an audio control means 563, and a display control means 564. These means 561 to 564 correspond to the communication unit, the game execution unit, the audio control unit, and the display control unit, respectively.

[0067] -Means of communication 561- The communication means 561 communicates with the server device 2 via the network interface 51. The communication means 561 generates and transmits information that can be understood by the server device 2 in response to various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the touchpad 63. For example, the communication means 561 transmits account information, download request information for new game data, user information, game data, and the like to the server device 2. The communication means 561 also receives new game data and the like sent from the server device 2 in response to the download request information.

[0068] -Game execution means- The game execution means 562 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 55 in accordance with the user's operation of the touchpad 63, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing the game program using data received from the server device 2. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, the processed game images are successively displayed on the display 61.

[0069] The game execution means 562 places an avatar in the metaverse VS on the game image in accordance with the user's operation, and controls the behavior of the avatar in the metaverse VS in accordance with the user's operation and the progress of the search game in the metaverse VS. The game execution means 562 also places a player character in the virtual game space GS on the game image in accordance with the user's operation, and controls the behavior of the player character in the virtual game space GS in accordance with the user's operation and the progress of the competitive game.

[0070] -Voice control means- The audio control means 563 controls the audio output of the speaker 62 based on the user's operation on the game device 5 during execution of the game. -Display control means- The display control means 564 controls the display output of the display 61 based on the user's operation on the game device 5 when the game is executed.

[0071] <Game system operation flow> Next, an example of the operation of the system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10, in the system 1 of this embodiment, when a user U11 operates the game device 5 to log in to the game (step S10), the server device 2 accepts the user U11's login to the game (step S20) and transmits data required to start the search game to the game device 5 (step S21). As a result, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 starts the search game (step S11). In the search game, the user U11 can explore the Metaverse VS by operating his or her own avatar A11.

[0072] When the photography control means 235 of the server device 2 recognizes that the user U11 has started the exploration game (step S22), it starts automatic photography (step S23). Thereafter, the photography control means 235 continues to automatically acquire images in the metaverse VS that include the avatar A11 operated by the user U11 and that satisfy the conditions a1 to a3 above.

[0073] Next, when the user U11 requests to play a competitive game by controlling the avatar A11 in the Metaverse VS and moving the avatar A11 closer to the virtual game console (step S12), the game progression means 234 of the server device 2 accepts the request to play the competitive game (step S24) and transmits data required to start the competitive game to the game device 5 (step S25). As a result, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 of the user U11 executes the competitive game (step S13), and the game progression means 234 of the server device 2 progresses the competitive game (step S26). In the competitive game, the user can control his / her own player character to compete against player characters controlled by other users. Even while the competitive game is being played, the photography control means 235 continues to automatically acquire images in the Metaverse VS that include the avatar A11 controlled by the user U11 and that satisfy the conditions a1 to a3 described above.

[0074] Thereafter, when the user U11 performs an operation to end the competitive game, the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 ends the competitive game (step S14), and the game progression means 234 of the server device 2 also ends the competitive game (step S27). Subsequently, the virtual space control means 233 of the server device 2 transmits data required to start the search game to the game device 5 (step S28). This causes the game execution means 562 of the game device 5 to start the search game again (step S15). This allows the user U11 to explore the metaverse VS again by operating his or her avatar A11.

[0075] Thereafter, when the user U11 operates the game device 5 to log out of the game (step S16), the server device 2 accepts the user U11's logout from the game (step S29). At this time, the shooting control means 235 of the server device 2 ends automatic shooting (step S30). The image editing means 237 of the server device 2 also creates a digest video file (step S31) and transmits the created digest video file to the game device 5 (step S32). This allows the user U11 to operate the game device 5 to view the digest video and upload the acquired digest video file to SNS, etc.

[0076] To summarize the above, in the system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 23 (computer) of the server device 2 functions as a virtual space control means 233, an image capture control means 235, and a parameter setting means 236. The virtual space control means 233 defines a metaverse VS (virtual space) including an avatar A11 (first avatar) operated by a user U11 (first user), an avatar A30 (second avatar) operated by a user (second user) other than the user U11, and a camera Ca. The camera Ca captures an image of a predetermined image capture area in the metaverse VS including the avatar A11, the avatar A30, and the like. The parameter setting means 236 sets control parameters that define a control mode of the camera Ca when capturing an image of the predetermined image capture area, based on event information associated with the status of an event occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS.

[0077] <Effects> According to the configuration of the system 1 of the present embodiment, appropriate control parameters are applied to the camera Ca in accordance with the circumstances of events occurring in the metaverse VS or the virtual game space GS, enabling more appropriate shooting, thereby improving the interest of the metaverse VS.

[0078] The above events include an event called a competitive game that occurs in association with the battle area S10 of the Metaverse VS, and an event called a game spectator that occurs in association with the spectator area S11 of the Metaverse VS. In this embodiment, the battle area S10 and the spectator area S11 of the Metaverse VS correspond to predetermined areas in the virtual space. When avatar A11 and avatar A12 are located in the battle area S10 and associated with the event called a competitive game, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca so that avatar A11 and avatar A12 are included. Furthermore, when avatar A11 and avatar A30 are located in the spectator area S11 and associated with the event called a game spectator, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca so that avatar A11 and avatar A30 are included.

[0079] This configuration makes it easier to obtain realistic images suitable for various events, such as an image of a user's avatar A11 playing against another user's avatar A12, or an image of a user's avatar A11 watching a game together with many other avatars A30. When an event occurs in the Metaverse VS in which a predetermined number or more avatars are present in one observation area S11, the parameter setting means 236 sets control parameters such as the position of the shooting camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ by using, as event information, the number and positions of avatars A30 watching the competitive game other than the avatar A11 of the user U11. Similarly, when an event occurs in which a competitive game is being played in the virtual game space GS, the parameter setting means 236 sets control parameters such as the position of the shooting camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ by using, as event information, the number and positions of avatars A30 watching the competitive game.

[0080] This configuration makes it easy to set control parameters such as the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ to appropriate values ​​according to various events. Note that the parameter setting means 236 may be configured to set the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on at least one of the number and the position of the avatar A30.

[0081] The control parameters of the photographing camera Ca include a setting parameter that defines whether or not to include in the photographing area Ca11, Ca11 the face of an avatar A12 that is different from the avatar A11 associated with the photographing camera Ca. In this embodiment, the face of the avatar A12 corresponds to the predetermined part of the second avatar.

[0082] According to this configuration, even if one's own avatar enters the photographing area Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca associated with another avatar, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the face of one's own avatar is photographed unintentionally. The events include a competitive game (first event) occurring in association with a competition area S10 (first area) in the Metaverse VS (virtual space), and game watching (second event) occurring in association with a spectator area S11 (second area) in the Metaverse VS. When avatar A11 is located in the competition area S10 and associated with the competitive game, and avatar A30 is located in the spectator area S11 and associated with game watching, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that avatar A11 and avatar A30 are included. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca includes information associated with the game watching situation, specifically, information on the number of avatars A30 watching the competitive game.

[0083] According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire a more appropriate image according to the number of avatars A30 present around the avatar A11 operated by the user U11. <First Modification> Next, a first modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0084] When the user U11 is playing a competitive game, the parameter setting means 236 may set the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of the user U11 based on the progress of the competitive game. Specifically, in a competitive game, there is a possibility that an event will occur, such as a special move of the player character of the user U11 being hit by the opponent's player character, or an event that the competitive game becomes complicated. When an event occurs, such as a special move of the player character of the user U11 being hit by the opponent's player character, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca based on the positions of each of the multiple avatars A30 watching the competitive game. For example, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the faces of each of the multiple avatars A30 watching the game are captured.

[0085] In this way, the parameter setting means 236 of this modified example uses information associated with the progress of the competitive game as event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca. With this configuration, it is possible to acquire more appropriate images according to the progress of the competitive game.

[0086] <Second Modification> Next, a second modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. The events included in the above condition a1 may include, as an event derived from Metaverse VS, an event in which a competitive game is being played on another virtual game cabinet located around the virtual game cabinet on which the user is playing the competitive game.

[0087] For example, as shown in Fig. 11, suppose that avatars A11 and A12 operated by users U11 and U12, respectively, are playing a battle game on virtual game cabinet MT11. At this time, if other avatars A15 to A26 are competing on other virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17, respectively, the photography control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied and captures an image including avatar A11 of user U11 and avatar A12 of user U12, for example, with the photographing camera Ca associated with avatar A11 of user U11. Note that rectangular areas S22 to S27 shown in Fig. 11 indicate battle areas set for the virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17, respectively.

[0088] On the other hand, when an event occurs in which a competitive game is being played on another virtual game cabinet, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on event information associated with the status of the event. The parameter setting means 236 uses, as the event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca, the number and positions of competitive games being played within a predetermined area S13 centered on the virtual game cabinet MT11 where the user U11 is playing the competitive game. Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17 where the competitive games are being played are captured as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , when there are many virtual game cabinets where competitive games are being played, the parameter setting means 236 sets the angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca to a large value, thereby setting the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the avatars A14 to A17 playing the competitive game are included in the photographing areas Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca as much as possible.

[0089] 12, when a competitive game is being played only on virtual game cabinet MT12 among virtual game cabinets MT12 to MT17 present in area S13, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that the virtual game cabinet MT12 where the competitive game is being played is captured as closely as possible. For example, the parameter setting means 236 moves the photographing camera Ca closer to avatar A11, and sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca so that avatars A15 and A16 playing the competitive game on virtual game cabinet MT12 are captured.

[0090] Thus, the events of the system 1 of this modification include a fighting game (first event) occurring in association with the battle area S10 (first area) of the Metaverse VS (virtual space), and other fighting games (second events) occurring in association with the battle areas S22 to S27 (multiple second areas) of the Metaverse VS. When avatar A11 is located in the battle area S10 and associated with the fighting game in the battle area S10, and avatars A15 to A26 are located in the battle areas S22 to S27 and associated with the fighting games in the battle areas S22 to S27, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that avatar A11 and avatars A14 to A17 are included as much as possible. Other fighting games may occur in each of the multiple fighting areas S22 to S27 of the Metaverse VS. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca further includes information on the number of fighting games being played in the battle areas S22 to S27.

[0091] This configuration makes it possible to acquire a photogenic image in which a competitive game appears to be taking place around the avatar A11 operated by the user U11. <Third Modification> Next, a third modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 13, in the metaverse VS of this modified example, a special area S30 is installed near the virtual game cabinet MT11. FIG. 13 shows a situation in which avatars A11 and A12 are playing a competitive game on the virtual game cabinet MT11. The special area S30 is a place where, for example, after the competitive game is over, competing avatars A50 and A51 can take a commemorative photo together. The commemorative photo is taken, for example, manually or automatically using a camera Cb associated with avatar A50. FIG. 14 shows an example of an image IM11 captured by the camera Cb. As shown in FIG. 14, various panels P10 to P12 related to the competitive game are installed in the special area S30, and the panels P10 to P12 are photographed together with the avatars A50 and A51.

[0093] When automatically capturing images using the camera Cb in the special area S30, it may look unnatural if the avatars A50 to A52 are seen looking directly at the camera in the captured image. Therefore, in the case of automatic capturing, the camera Cb may be controlled so that the line of sight of the avatars A50 and A51 is shifted from the line of sight of the camera Cb.

[0094] In this modified example, when other avatars A50 and A51 take commemorative photos in the special area S30 near avatar A11, the photography control means 235 determines that the above condition a1 is satisfied, and takes an image including avatars A11 and A12 using the photography camera Ca associated with avatar A11.

[0095] On the other hand, when an event occurs in which a commemorative photo is taken in the special area S30, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on event information associated with the status of the event. The parameter setting means 236 uses, as the event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca, the positions and number of spectating avatars A30 present in the spectating area S11 of the virtual game cabinet MT11 where the user is playing the competitive game, and the positions of avatars A50, A51 taking the commemorative photo in the special area S30. Specifically, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the photographing camera Ca as shown in FIG. 13 so that the spectating avatar A30 is captured as much as possible and the avatars A50, A51 taking the commemorative photo are also captured. Considering that there may be users who do not want unintentional photographs of avatars A50 and A51 being photographed, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the avatars A50 and A51 being photographed are captured from a distance.

[0096] Thus, the events of this modification include a battle game (first event) occurring in association with the battle area S10 (first area) of the Metaverse VS (virtual space), and a commemorative photo shoot (second event) occurring in association with the special area S30 (second area) of the Metaverse VS. When avatar A11 is located in the battle area S10 and associated with the battle game, and avatars A50 and A51 are located in the special area S30 and associated with the commemorative photo shoot, the parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca so that avatar A11 and avatars A50 and A51 are included. The event information for setting the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca includes information associated with the situation of the commemorative photo shoot, specifically, information such as the positions of avatars A50 and A51 taking the commemorative photo shoot.

[0097] According to this configuration, the avatars A50 and A51 taking the commemorative photo can be included in the photographing area, making it possible to obtain a more photogenic image. <Fourth Modification> Next, a fourth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0098] The conditions for capturing a photograph of a user's avatar by a camera Ca associated with another avatar may include conditions for the user's avatar's emote, in addition to conditions for the user's avatar's face. The conditions for capturing a photograph of an avatar's emote include conditions for the avatar to perform an action that expresses the user's feelings, such as making the avatar jump or making a cheer pose. For example, the user U12 can set a condition for the user's avatar A12 to jump as a capturing condition for the emote by operating the game device 5. In this case, the virtual space control means 233 automatically causes the user U12's avatar A12 to jump when a photograph is captured by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of another user U11, with the avatar A12 included in the capturing area Ca11, Ca11 of that camera.

[0099] The emotes to be performed by the avatar A12 may be individually set for each event. For example, a competitive game may include an event in which "a player character executes a special move in the competitive game" and an event in which "the situation becomes complicated in the final round of the competitive game." Therefore, by operating the game device 5, the user U12 may set an emote of jumping for the former event and an emote of performing a troubled motion for the latter event. In this case, the photographing camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 of the user U11 watching the competitive game captures a photograph when the event "a player character executes a special move in the competitive game" occurs. During the photographing, the virtual space control means 233 causes the avatar A12 of the user U12 to perform an emote of jumping corresponding to the event "a player character executes a special move in the competitive game."

[0100] In this way, the virtual space control means 233 of this modified example determines the display mode of avatar A12 in the metaverse VS based on the emote information (setting information) set for avatar A12 (second avatar) by user U12 (second user). According to this configuration, when one's own avatar is included in the photographing area Ca11, Ca11 of the photographing camera Ca associated with another user's avatar, one can have one's own avatar automatically perform an emote action according to an event in the competitive game, thereby making it possible to obtain a more realistic image.

[0101] <Fifth Modification> Next, a fifth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, when an image is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 while the avatar A11 is watching a competitive game, the avatar A30 watching the game will appear in the captured image. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, when an image is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 while the avatar A11 is playing a competitive game, the avatar A30 watching the game will appear in the captured image. In the system 1 of this modification, the display mode of the avatar A30 in the image taken in the situation shown in Fig. 7 and the display mode of the avatar A30 in the image taken in the situation shown in Fig. 8 can be set separately.

[0102] Specifically, the user U11 can set whether or not to display the face of another spectating avatar A30 in an image captured in the situation shown in Fig. 7, i.e., while watching a competitive game, by operating the game device 5. The user U11 can also set whether or not to display the face of another spectating avatar A30 in an image captured in the situation shown in Fig. 8, i.e., while playing a competitive game, by operating the game device 5. The parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the shooting camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 based on the display setting information of the spectating avatar A30 set by the user U11. For example, if the spectating avatar A30 is set so that its face is not visible, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the shooting camera Ca so that the face of the avatar A30 is not captured as much as possible. Alternatively, the parameter setting means 236 instructs the image capture control means 235 to perform pixelization on the face of the avatar A30 being watched, or to erase the entire avatar A30 from the image.

[0103] In this way, the parameter setting means 236 of this modified example further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on whether the user U11 (first user) is a player or a spectator of the competitive game. With this configuration, the display mode of the avatar A30 watching the game in the image captured by the photographing camera Ca can be changed to suit the preferences of the user U11.

[0104] <Sixth Modification> Next, a sixth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of the above embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 15 , when an avatar A11 is watching a competitive game on a virtual game cabinet MT11, if a photograph is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the captured image may include avatars A30 and A60 and A61 in addition to avatars A40 and A41 playing in the match. Avatar A30 is an avatar watching the virtual game cabinet MT11. Avatars A60 and A61 are avatars playing a competitive game on another game cabinet MT12. In the system 1 of this modification, when a photograph is taken by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11, the display mode of the avatar A30 and the display mode of the avatars A60 and A61 in the captured image can be set individually.

[0105] Specifically, the user U11 can set whether or not to display the face of the other spectating avatar A30 in the image captured by the camera Ca by operating his / her own game device 5. The user U11 can also set whether or not to display the faces of the other avatars A60, A61 playing the fighting game in the image captured by the camera Ca by operating his / her own game device 5. The parameter setting means 236 sets the control parameters of the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 based on the display setting information of the avatars A30, A60, A61 set by the user U11. For example, if the spectating avatar A30 is set so that its face is not visible, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position, line of sight direction Ca10, and angle of view θ of the camera Ca so that the face of the avatar A30 is not captured in the image. Furthermore, when the avatars A60 and A61 playing the battle game are set to show their faces, the parameter setting means 236 sets the position of the photographing camera Ca, the line of sight direction Ca10, and the angle of view θ so that the faces of the avatars A60 and A61 are captured in the image.

[0106] In addition, when the parameter setting means 236 is set so that the faces of the avatars A30, A60, and A61 are not captured in the image, the parameter setting means 236 may instruct the photography control means 235 to perform pixelization on the faces of the avatars A30, A60, and A61 or to erase the entire avatars A30, A60, and A61 from the image.

[0107] In this way, the parameter setting means 236 of this modified example further sets the control parameters of the photographing camera Ca based on whether the user (second user) operating each of the avatars A30, A60, and A61 is a player or a spectator of the fighting game. With this configuration, the display manner of the avatars A30, A60, and A61 in the image captured by the photographing camera Ca can be changed to suit the preferences of the user U11.

[0108] <Seventh Modification> Next, a seventh modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of this modified example, the user can select and discard a plurality of image files acquired by the image capture control means 235 to create a digest movie file.

[0109] Specifically, after the user U11 logs out of the game, the display control means 564 of the game device 5 of this modified example displays a video creation screen 70 as shown in Fig. 16 on the display 61 of the game device 5. As shown in Fig. 16, the video creation screen 70 is provided with a creation condition display area 71, a timeline display area 72, and an image selection area 73.

[0110] The digest movie file conditions are displayed in the creation condition display area 71. The conditions displayed in the creation condition display area 71 are, for example, conditions for movie files that can be uploaded to an SNS. The timeline display area 72 displays the user U11's timeline in the Metaverse VS and exploration game using a line segment 720. The left end of the line segment 720 indicates the time when the user logged into the game. The right end of the line segment 720 indicates the time when the user logged out of the game. Each of the sections enclosed by rectangular frames 721a to 721c on the line segment 720 indicates a time period during which the user U11 played the competitive game. The timeline display area 72 displays multiple arrows 722a to 722e extending from below to above the line segment 720, along with scene information 723a to 723e associated with the arrows 722a to 722e. The arrows 722a to 722e indicate the timing at which images were captured on the line segment 720 by the imaging control means 235. The scene information 723a to 723e indicates the status of the Metaverse VS when the images were captured by the imaging control means 235. The scene information 723a to 723e is acquired from metadata information associated with image files acquired by the photography control means 235. The scene information 723a and 723d for "Searching the venue" show a situation in which avatar A11 is exploring the Metaverse VS. The scene information 723b for "Audience excitement" shows a situation in which avatar A30, who is watching a competitive game, is excited when a player character executes a special move, for example. The scene information 723c and 723e for "Post-match interaction" show a situation in which a commemorative photo is taken between avatar A11 of user U11 and an avatar of a competing user in a special area S30 as shown in FIG. 13.

[0111] The image selection area 73 displays video information for each scene acquired by the shooting control means 235. For example, when scene information 723a for "Searching the venue" is selected with a finger icon 74 as shown in Fig. 16, the image selection area 73 displays video icons 731a to 731c corresponding to the multiple video files acquired by the shooting control means 235 for that scene, and selection buttons 732a to 732c corresponding to the video icons 731 to 733, respectively.

[0112] By tapping on the video icons 731a to 731c, the user U11 can view the video files corresponding to the video icons 731a to 731c. Each of the video icons 731a to 731c displays whether the corresponding video was captured automatically or manually.

[0113] The selection buttons 732a to 732c are buttons that are operated when selecting videos to be included in the digest video. For example, when the user U11 taps the selection button 732a, the video icon 731a is selected. Figure 16 illustrates a case where the video icon 731a is selected and the video icons 731b and 731c are unselected. In this case, the video file corresponding to the video icon 731a will be included in the digest video.

[0114] The image editing means 237 creates a digest moving image file by joining together one or more moving image files selected by the user in this way. This configuration makes it easier to create a digest movie that suits the preferences of the user U11 from a plurality of movie files that have been automatically or manually shot by the shooting control means 235.

[0115] <Eighth Modification> Next, an eighth modification of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the system 1 of this modified example, an image to be used in a digest movie is created by combining an image from within the Metaverse VS with an image from a fighting game.

[0116] For this purpose, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the control unit 23 of the server device 2 further includes an image acquisition unit 238 and a synthesis unit 239. The image acquisition means 238 acquires an image of the competitive game when a predetermined event occurs in the competitive game. The event that occurs in the competitive game may be the same as or similar to the condition a1 above. Therefore, the image acquisition means 238 and the photography control means 235 acquire an image of the competitive game and an image of the Metaverse VS at the same or similar timing, respectively.

[0117] The composition means 239 creates a composite image by combining the image of the fighting game and the image of the Metaverse VS, which are respectively acquired at the same or similar times by the image acquisition means 238 and the photography control means 235. Fig. 17 shows an example of the composite image IM12. As shown in Fig. 17, in the composite image IM12, the image IM121 of the Metaverse VS is embedded in the upper left of the image IM120 of the fighting game.

[0118] As described above, in the system 1 of this modified example, the photographing control means 235 captures an image IM121 (first image) of the metaverse VS (first virtual space) by using the photographing camera Ca to photograph a predetermined photographing area in the metaverse VS (first virtual space) including avatar A11 (first avatar) and avatar A30 (second avatar). The system 1 further includes image acquiring means 238 and composition means 239. The image acquiring means 238 acquires an image IM120 (second image) of the virtual game space GS (second virtual space) of the fighting game when a predetermined event (second event) occurs in the virtual game space GS. The composition means 239 composites the image IM120 of the virtual game space GS with the image IM121 of the metaverse VS.

[0119] In the composite image IM12, for example, it is possible to simultaneously view the state of the competitive game when a player character executes a special move in the competitive game and the state of the Metaverse VS at that time. This makes it possible to obtain a more photogenic image. In particular, when avatars in the Metaverse VS perform emotes in accordance with the progress of the competitive game as in the system 1 of the fourth modified example described above, an image of the Metaverse VS in which many avatars perform emotes is used in the frame 60 of the composite image IM12. This makes it possible to obtain a more realistic image.

[0120] [Other embodiments] The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention.

[0121] Games played in the virtual game space GS are not limited to competitive games, but may be any games such as action games, shooting games, role-playing games, simulation games, board games, and puzzle games. When the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 captures an image in the metaverse VS, the avatar A12 included in the captured image area may automatically perform a plurality of emotes. In this case, the avatar A12 may perform one of the plurality of emotes depending on the situation when the image is captured by the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11. For example, assume that the plurality of emotes include an emote that causes the avatar A12 to jump and an emote that causes the avatar A12 to make a peace sign. In this case, if the situation when the camera Ca associated with the avatar A11 captures an image is one in which the user U11 operating the avatar A11 is playing a competitive game, the virtual space control means 233 causes the avatar A12 to perform an action appropriate to the situation, such as jumping.

[0122] When capturing an image including avatars A11 and A12 playing a game, if another spectator avatar A33 enters the line of sight Ca10 of the capturing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 8, the parameter setting means 236 may automatically move the avatar A33 from the line of sight Ca10 of the capturing camera Ca as shown in Fig. 18, for example. Alternatively, the parameter setting means 236 may execute a process to make the avatar A33 shown in Fig. 8 transparent within the image. This makes it possible to capture a more appropriate image in which the avatar A33 does not overlap the avatar A31.

[0123] In the image captured by the camera Ca, the face of the user operating the avatar may be displayed instead of the face of the avatar. In the above embodiment, the game device 5 is a smartphone, but the game device 5 may be an amusement machine provided in a game center or the like.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the server device 2 and the multiple game devices 5 are integrated to function as a game program, but this is not limiting. All of the means of the game program may be provided in the server device 2 alone, the game device 5 alone, a communication terminal separate from the server device 2 and the game device 5 alone, or two of these devices that can be combined (for example, distributed processing between the server device 2 and the game device 5). Furthermore, when the server device 2, the game device 5, and the communication terminals are integrated to function as a whole, it is also possible to appropriately change which means are to be functioned by which device.

[0125] The effects of this embodiment can be achieved even when these other embodiments are adopted. Furthermore, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1: System, 5: Game device (terminal device), 23: Control unit (computer), 233: Virtual space control means (virtual space control unit), 235: Photography control means (photography control unit), 236: Parameter setting means (parameter setting unit), 238: Image acquisition means, 239: Synthesis means.

Claims

1. Computer, a virtual space control means for defining a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a photographing camera; an imaging control means for imaging a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the imaging camera; a parameter setting means for setting control parameters that define a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space; The virtual space is a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are placed; a second virtual space different from the first virtual space, the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area in the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information is information associated with the progress of the game. program.

2. The parameter setting means further sets the control parameters based on whether the first user is a player or a spectator of the game. The program according to claim 1.

3. The parameter setting means further sets the control parameters based on whether the second user is a player or a spectator of the game. The program according to claim 1.

4. When the event is a first event, the photographing control means acquires a first image by photographing a predetermined photographing area in the first virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar with the photographing camera; The computer an image acquisition means for acquiring a second image, which is an image of the second virtual space, when a second event occurs in the second virtual space; and a synthesizing means for synthesizing the first image and the second image. The program according to claim 1.

5. The virtual space control means determines a display mode of the second avatar in the virtual space based on setting information set for the second avatar by the second user. The program according to claim 1.

6. a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that uses the imaging camera to capture an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar; a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space; The virtual space is a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are placed; a second virtual space different from the first virtual space, the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area in the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information is information associated with the progress of the game. Terminal device.

7. a virtual space control unit that defines a virtual space including a first avatar operated by a first user, a second avatar operated by a second user, and a shooting camera; an imaging control unit that uses the imaging camera to capture an image of a predetermined imaging area in the virtual space including the first avatar and the second avatar; a parameter setting unit that sets control parameters that define a control mode of the photographing camera when photographing the predetermined photographing area, based on event information associated with a situation of an event occurring in the virtual space; The virtual space is a first virtual space in which the first avatar, the second avatar, and the camera are placed; a second virtual space different from the first virtual space, the event is a game that occurs in association with a first area in the first virtual space and then progresses in the second virtual space; The event information is information associated with the progress of the game. system.

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