Information processing device and comment transmission method

Abstract

A reception part 110 receives a comment which is inputted with respect to a unit of play executed by a user. A transmission processing part 122 transmits the comment to a server device together with information specifying the unit of play executed.

Description

Information processing device and comment transmission method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for users to input comments about a game.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a server device that processes event data related to activities performed by multiple players. The server device acquires play times of the activities performed by multiple players, assigns the players to one of multiple classes according to their skill values, and determines a representative value of play time for each class based on the play times of the multiple players in each class. The server device notifies the user of an expected play time derived from the representative value of play time associated with the user's class.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-63756

[0004] There are game review sites. Some players write game information on the review site after finishing playing a game, while other players view game information on the review site before starting to play a game. Because review sites exist on the web, in order to write or view game information while playing a game, players must access the review site using a terminal device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) separate from the game device they are using to play the game. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide technology that makes it easy to write and view comments about a game.

[0005] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more processors having hardware, wherein the one or more processors accept comments input by a user regarding a unit of play performed by the user, and transmit the comments together with information identifying the unit of play performed.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing device includes one or more processors having hardware, which acquire information about a play unit being performed by a user or a play unit that has not yet been performed by the user, and displays information about the play unit together with information indicating that a comment has been generated for the play unit.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for sending comments, comprising the steps of accepting comments entered by a user regarding a unit of play performed by the user, and sending the comments along with information identifying the unit of play performed.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment; 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing device; 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an information processing device; 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen; 5 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a server device; 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a save screen; 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system image superimposed on the save screen; 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a system image superimposed on the save screen; 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a save screen; 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system image; 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system image.

[0010] In the embodiment, an information processing device, which is a user terminal device, executes game software. When an event occurs in the game, the game software outputs event information identifying the event to the system software. An event occurs when there is a change in the progress of game play or a change in the behavior of a game character. The game software includes multiple play units, each of which has at least an end condition set.

[0011] Game software includes activities, which are a type of unit of play and have set start and end conditions. Activities may be composed of stages, quests, missions, tournaments, sessions, etc. Activities are set appropriately by the game maker, and, for example, one quest that appears in the course of the game may constitute one activity, or multiple quests may constitute one activity. When multiple quests constitute one activity, the end condition for that activity is to complete all of the multiple quests.

[0012] When the game software starts an activity, it outputs to the system software event information including an activity identifier (activity ID) that identifies the activity and information indicating the start of the activity. When the game software ends the activity, it outputs to the system software event information including the activity ID and information indicating the end of the activity. When the activity ends, the game software may include the result of the activity (success or failure) in the event information. The system software generates event data by adding a user identifier (user account) that identifies the user, a game identifier (game ID) that identifies the game, and time information (timestamp) to the event information output from the game software, and transmits the event data to an external server device.

[0013] The server device collects event data transmitted from multiple information processing devices operated by multiple players and analyzes play trends related to the activity. For example, the server device may statistically derive play times for the activity by the multiple players based on the event data transmitted from the multiple information processing devices. As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the server device may assign players to one of multiple classes according to their skill values ​​and determine a representative value of play times for the activity for each class based on play times for the multiple players in each class. The representative value of play times for the activity associated with the user's class may be used as the user's expected play time, and the server device may notify the user of the derived estimated play time for the activity when the user performs a new activity.

[0014] The game software sets various quests and missions (hereinafter simply referred to as "missions") as play units separate from activities, for obtaining trophies, which are virtual rewards. When a user completes a mission, the user is granted the corresponding trophy. The mission completion conditions are play conditions that release the trophy to the user, and are also called the trophy's "unlock condition." The system software determines whether the trophy mission has ended by determining whether the trophy unlock condition is met based on the event information output by the game software. The system software transmits information on the acquisition of unlocked trophies to an external server device. The server device may collect trophy acquisition information transmitted from multiple information processing devices operated by multiple players and analyze play trends related to trophy acquisition.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 according to the embodiment is a game system that assists a user in playing a game, and includes an information processing device 10 operated by the user (player) and a server device 5. An access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 8 functions as a wireless access point and a router, and the information processing device 10 connects to the AP 8 wirelessly or via a wired connection to be able to communicate with the server device 5 on a network 3. While FIG. 1 illustrates one user and one information processing device 10, the information processing system 1 is premised on the assumption that multiple information processing devices 10 operated by multiple players are connected to the server device 5 via the network 3.

[0016] The information processing device 10 is connected wirelessly or via a wire to an input device 6 operated by a user, and the input device 6 outputs information operated by the user to the information processing device 10. When the information processing device 10 receives operation information from the input device 6, it reflects the information in the processing of system software and game software, and causes the output device 4 to output the processing results. In the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 is a game device (game console) that executes a game, and the input device 6 may be a device such as a game controller that supplies user operation information to the information processing device 10. The input device 6 may also be an input interface such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0017] The auxiliary storage device 2 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive), and may be a built-in storage device or an external storage device connected to the information processing device 10 via a USB (universal serial bus) or the like. The output device 4 may be a television having a display for outputting images and speakers for outputting sounds. The output device 4 may be connected to the information processing device 10 by a wired cable or wirelessly.

[0018] The camera 7, which is an imaging device, is provided near the output device 4 and captures images of the space around the output device 4. While Fig. 1 shows an example in which the camera 7 is attached to the top of the output device 4, it may be placed on the side or bottom of the output device 4, and in either case, it is placed in a position where it can capture an image of a user positioned in front of the output device 4. The camera 7 may be a stereo camera.

[0019] The server device 5 provides network services to users of the information processing system 1. The server device 5 manages network accounts (user accounts) that identify each user, and each user signs in to the network service provided by the server device 5 using their network account. By signing in to the network service from their information processing device 10, users can register game save data and trophies, which are virtual rewards acquired during game play, on the server device 5. By registering save data and trophies on the server device 5, it becomes possible to synchronize save data and trophies even if a user uses an information processing device other than the information processing device 10.

[0020] 2 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a main power button 20, a power ON LED 21, a standby LED 22, a system controller 24, a clock 26, a device controller 30, a media drive 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a main system 60.

[0021] The main system 60 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory and memory controller serving as a main storage device, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The GPU is primarily used for processing game programs. The main CPU has the function of starting up system software and executing game programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 2 in the environment provided by the system software. The subsystem 50 includes a sub-CPU, a memory and memory controller serving as a main storage device, etc., but does not include a GPU.

[0022] While the main CPU has the function of executing a game program installed in the auxiliary storage device 2, the sub-CPU does not have such a function. However, the sub-CPU does have the function of accessing the auxiliary storage device 2 and the function of sending and receiving data to and from the server device 5. The sub-CPU is configured with only these limited processing functions, and therefore can operate with less power consumption than the main CPU. These functions of the sub-CPU are executed when the main CPU is in standby mode.

[0023] The main power button 20 is an input unit that receives operational input from the user, is provided on the front of the housing of the information processing device 10, and is operated to turn on or off the power supply to the main system 60 of the information processing device 10. The power ON LED 21 lights up when the main power button 20 is turned on, and the standby LED 22 lights up when the main power button 20 is turned off. The system controller 24 detects that the main power button 20 has been pressed by the user.

[0024] The clock 26 is a real-time clock that generates current date and time information and supplies it to the system controller 24 , the subsystem 50 , and the main system 60 .

[0025] The device controller 30 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) that, like a southbridge, transfers information between devices. As shown in the figure, devices such as the system controller 24, media drive 32, USB module 34, flash memory 36, wireless communication module 38, wired communication module 40, subsystem 50, and main system 60 are connected to the device controller 30. The device controller 30 absorbs differences in the electrical characteristics and data transfer speeds of each device and controls the timing of data transfer.

[0026] The media drive 32 is a drive device that is driven by loading a ROM medium 44 on which application software such as games and license information are recorded, and that reads programs, data, and the like from the ROM medium 44. The ROM medium 44 is a read-only recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a Blu-ray disk.

[0027] The USB module 34 is a module that connects to external devices via a USB cable. The USB module 34 may also be connected to the auxiliary storage device 2 and the camera 7 via USB cables. The flash memory 36 is an auxiliary storage device that constitutes internal storage. The wireless communication module 38 wirelessly communicates with the input device 6 using a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IEEE802.11. The wired communication module 40 communicates with external devices via a wired connection and connects to the network 3 via the AP 8.

[0028] 3 shows functional blocks of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a processing unit 100 and a communication unit 102. The processing unit 100 includes a reception unit 110, a game execution unit 112, a game image generation unit 114, a game sound generation unit 116, an event information acquisition unit 118, a display processing unit 120, a transmission processing unit 122, an activity information acquisition unit 124, a system image generation unit 126, and a comment acquisition unit 128. The system image generation unit 126 is realized as one function of the system software. The reception unit 110 receives information regarding a user's operation of the input device 6.

[0029] The information processing device 10 includes a computer, which executes a program to realize various functions shown in FIG. 3 . The computer includes hardware such as a memory into which the program is loaded, one or more processors that execute the loaded program, an auxiliary storage device, and other LSIs. The processor is composed of multiple electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits and LSIs, and the multiple electronic circuits may be mounted on a single chip or multiple chips. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 are realized by cooperation between hardware and software. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways using hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0030] The game execution unit 112 has a function of starting and executing a game program. The game execution unit 112 performs calculations to move a game character in a virtual space based on operation information received by the reception unit 110. The game image generation unit 114 includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that performs rendering processing and the like, and generates image data for the game, and the display processing unit 120 displays the generated game images on the output device 4. The game sound generation unit 116 generates sound data for the game and outputs it from a speaker.

[0031] 4 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the output device 4. The user plays the game by operating the input device 6 while viewing the game image.

[0032] When an event occurs during the progress of the game, the game program outputs event information indicating the event that has occurred. When the event information acquisition unit 118 acquires the event information from the game program, it generates event data by adding the user account, game ID, and time information (timestamp) indicating the time the event occurred to the event information, and provides the generated event data to the transmission processing unit 122. Note that the game program may output event information including the game ID and / or timestamp to the event information acquisition unit 118. The transmission processing unit 122 transmits the generated event data to the server device 5 via the communication unit 102.

[0033] In a game program, the start and end of an activity are coded as events. When an activity starts during the game, the game program outputs event information indicating the occurrence of an activity start event, and when the activity ends, the game program outputs event information indicating the occurrence of an activity end event. Game makers may incorporate various events into a game. For example, if a battle activity against an enemy boss is incorporated into a game, the game program outputs event information at the start of the battle, including an activity ID that identifies the battle activity and information indicating the start of the battle activity. When the user wins the battle against the enemy boss, the game program outputs event information including an activity ID that identifies the battle activity, information indicating the end of the battle activity, and information indicating the success of the activity.

[0034] The transmission processing unit 122 transmits event data related to an activity performed by a user to the server device 5 via the communication unit 102. Note that because events other than activities also exist, the transmission processing unit 122 also transmits event data unrelated to activities to the server device 5. Upon acquiring event information from the game program, the event information acquisition unit 118 preferably immediately generates event data with a timestamp added, and the transmission processing unit 122 transmits the event data to the server device 5.

[0035] 5 shows functional blocks of the server device 5 according to the embodiment. The server device 5 includes a processing unit 200, a communication unit 202, an event data recording unit 230, and a comment recording unit 232. The processing unit 200 includes an event data acquisition unit 210, a comment acquisition unit 212, a request acquisition unit 214, a survey unit 216, an activity information provision unit 218, a comment transfer unit 220, and a comment provision unit 222.

[0036] The server device 5 includes a computer, which executes a program to realize various functions shown in FIG. 5 . The computer includes hardware such as a memory into which the program is loaded, one or more processors that execute the loaded program, an auxiliary storage device, and other LSIs. The processor is composed of multiple electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits and LSIs, and the multiple electronic circuits may be mounted on a single chip or multiple chips. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 5 are realized by cooperation between hardware and software. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways using hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0037] The event data acquisition unit 210 acquires event data related to activities performed by the user from the information processing device 10 and records the event data in the event data recording unit 230. The event data recording unit 230 records the event data for each game title, linking it to a user account. As described above, the event data includes at least a game ID, an activity ID, information indicating the start or end of the activity, and a timestamp. By the information processing device 10 transmitting the event data in real time, the server device 5 can recognize activities that the user is currently performing and activities that have not yet been performed.

[0038] In the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, after a user has performed an activity, the user can input a comment about the activity in a predetermined input area and transmit the comment to the server device 5. The comment may be advice for the player about to perform the activity, such as "Be careful, an enemy might suddenly appear." The comment may also be an impression directed to the game developer, such as "This activity was fun." A mechanism for the user to input a comment about an activity will now be described.

[0039] <Mechanism for Inputting Comments> In an embodiment, a user inputs comments about an activity from a save screen of the game. When game progress reaches a predetermined save point, the game image generation unit 114 generates a save image, and the display processing unit 120 displays the save screen on the output device 4. When the user performs an operation to open the save screen from the input device 6, the display processing unit 120 also displays the save screen on the output device 4. Because the save screen allows the user to look back on their play, the timing when the save screen is displayed can be said to be an appropriate timing for inputting comments about the activity.

[0040] 6 shows an example of a save screen. When the user inputs predetermined operation information from the input device 6 on the save screen of the game, the accepting unit 110 accepts the predetermined operation information, and the activity information acquiring unit 124 requests the server device 5 to provide information about the activity performed by the user. For example, when the user presses a predetermined button (home button) on the input device 6 while the save screen is displayed, the activity information acquiring unit 124 may request the server device 5 to provide information about the activity that has already been performed.

[0041] In the server device 5, when the activity information providing unit 218 receives the information provision request, it provides information about one or more activities performed by the user between the last time the user saved and the current time the user saved, to the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 202. It is assumed that the date and time when the user last saved is provided from the information processing device 10 to the server device 5. In the information processing device 10, the activity information acquisition unit 124 acquires information about one or more performed activities that is provided from the server device 5. The system image generation unit 126 generates a system image including information about the activities, and the display processing unit 120 superimposes and displays the system image on the save screen.

[0042] 7 shows an example of a system image superimposed on the save screen. The display processing unit 120 displays a card-shaped system image 150 containing information about one or more activities for which the user can enter comments. The system image 150 is a GUI (graphical user interface) for notifying users of information about activities for which comments can be entered. In this example, activity S, activity T, and activity U performed by the user are displayed in a selectable manner.

[0043] It is preferable that information about the activity most recently performed by the user be displayed in the system image 150. The activity information providing unit 218 refers to the contents recorded in the event data recording unit 230 to identify the activity most recently performed by the user and provides information about the identified one or more activities to the information processing device 10. This allows the user to enter comments about the activity while their memory of the game play is still fresh. Note that when the user selects the "Display another activity" area using the input device 6, the activity information acquiring unit 124 may acquire information about the other activity from the server device 5, and the display processing unit 120 may display the information about the other activity in the system image 150.

[0044] The user uses the input device 6 to select an activity for which they want to enter a comment. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the activity name is displayed as information about the activity, but a description of the activity content may also be displayed. By displaying a description of the activity content, the user can easily identify the activity they have performed and easily select an activity.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows another example of a system image superimposed on the save screen. When activity S is selected in the system image 150, the system image generation unit 126 generates a card-shaped system image 152 including an input area 154 that allows input of a comment related to activity S, and the display processing unit 120 superimposes the system image 152 on the save screen. The user can input a comment related to activity S in the input area 154 by operating the input device 6. When the user moves the focus frame 160 to the input area 154, a software keyboard (on-screen keyboard) is displayed, and the user can input text into the input area 154 by operating the software keyboard. In this example, the user inputs a comment such as "An enemy suddenly appears from the sea" into the input area 154. The receiving unit 110 receives a comment related to activity S input into the input area 154.

[0046] The user can paste a link to a video of activity S that has been uploaded to a video sharing site in input area 154. In this case, it is preferable that meta information indicating that it is a video of activity S is added to the video.

[0047] The system image 152 displays options for the destination 156 of the comment. The user sets the destination 156 of the comment to either "other players" or "game developer." When the user wants to input advice for other players in the input area 154, the user sets the destination 156 to "other players." When the user wants to input feedback for the game developer in the input area 154, the user sets the destination 156 to "game developer." The receiving unit 110 receives the selected destination. The comment shown in FIG. 8 is intended for "other players." However, when the comment is intended for the "game developer," a comment conveying that the activity was good or not interesting, such as "the underwater gimmick was good," may be entered. When the user operates the send button 158, the transmission processing unit 122 transmits the comment and destination entered in the input area 154 to the server device 5, along with information identifying the user account and the activity S.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows another example of a save screen. The save screen shown in FIG. 9 differs from the save screen shown in FIG. 6 in that a list image 170 containing information about one or more activities for which a comment can be entered is displayed in a portion of the save screen. The game program recognizes one or more activities performed by the user between the previous save and the current save, and the game image generation unit 114 can generate a list image 170 containing information about the most recently performed activity. In this example, activity S, activity T, and activity U performed by the user are displayed as selectable activities. Note that when the user selects the "Display another activity" area using the input device 6, the game image generation unit 114 generates a list image 170 containing information about the other activity.

[0049] The user uses the input device 6 to select an activity for which they want to enter a comment. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the activity name is displayed as information about the activity, but a description of the activity content may also be displayed. By displaying a description of the activity content, the user can easily identify the activity they have performed and easily select an activity.

[0050] 10 shows another example of a save screen. When activity T is selected in list image 170, game image generation unit 114 generates input image 172 including input area 174 that allows input of a comment regarding activity T, and display processing unit 120 displays a save screen that includes input image 172 as a part of the image. The user can input a comment regarding activity T in input area 174 by operating input device 6. In this example, the user inputs a comment such as "Five enemies will appear in the sky on the right side" in input area 174. Reception unit 110 receives the comment regarding activity T input in input area 174.

[0051] The input image 172 displays options for the destination 176 of the comment. The user sets the destination 176 of the input comment to either "other players" or "game developer." When the user wants to input advice for other players in the input area 174, the user sets the destination 176 to "other players." When the user wants to input feedback for the game developer in the input area 174, the user sets the destination 176 to "game developer." The reception unit 110 receives the selected destination. Since the comment shown in FIG. 10 is intended for "other players," "other players" is selected as the destination 176. When the user operates the send button 178, the transmission processing unit 122 transmits the comment and destination input in the input area 174 to the server device 5, along with information identifying the user account and the activity T.

[0052] In the server device 5, the comment acquisition unit 212 acquires comments and destinations input by users regarding activities from the information processing device 10 and records them in the comment recording unit 232. The comment acquisition unit 212 associates the user account, the comment, and the destination with information that identifies the activity (activity ID), and records them in the comment recording unit 232. Therefore, the comment recording unit 232 records comments and destinations input by various users, associated with the activity ID.

[0053] If the destination is a "game developer," the comment forwarding unit 220 forwards the feedback comments regarding the activity to the terminal device of the game developer. By viewing the feedback comments, the game developer can learn the users' honest opinions and use them to develop the activity.

[0054] If a comment on an activity includes a link to a video, the investigation unit 216 refers to meta information included in the video and investigates the relevance between the video and the activity. Specifically, the investigation unit 216 investigates whether the meta information of the video indicates that it is a video of the activity. For example, if a comment on activity S includes a video link to activity S, the investigation unit 216 determines that it is an appropriate video link. On the other hand, if a comment on activity S includes a video link to an activity different from activity S, the investigation unit 216 determines that it is an inappropriate video link. In this case, the investigation unit 216 may delete the inappropriate video link from the comment. In order for the investigation unit 216 to investigate the relevance between the video and the activity in this way, it is preferable that the video includes meta information that identifies the activity.

[0055] Comments addressed to other players and recorded in the comment recording unit 232 are provided to users who are about to start an activity for the first time or to users who are currently starting an activity, and are used as advice from seniors who have played before.

[0056] <Mechanism for Viewing Comments> Next, a mechanism for a user to view comments on an activity posted by other users will be described. When a user inputs predetermined operation information from the input device 6 while playing a game, the reception unit 110 receives the predetermined operation information, and the activity information acquisition unit 124 requests the server device 5 to provide information on the currently performed activity and / or activities that have not yet been performed. For example, when the user presses a predetermined button (home button) on the input device 6, the activity information acquisition unit 124 may request the provision of information on the currently performed activity and / or activities that have not yet been performed.

[0057] In the server device 5, when the activity information providing unit 218 receives an information provision request, it provides information about the activity being performed and / or the activity not yet performed by the user to the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 202. The activity information providing unit 218 refers to the recorded content recorded in the event data recording unit 230, identifies the activity being performed and / or the activity not yet performed by the user, and provides information about the identified one or more activities to the information processing device 10.

[0058] In the information processing device 10, the activity information acquisition unit 124 acquires information relating to one or more ongoing and / or uncompleted activities provided from the server device 5. The system image generation unit 126 generates a system image including information relating to the activities, and the display processing unit 120 displays the system image on the output device 4.

[0059] 11 shows an example of a system image displayed on the output device 4. The system image generation unit 126 generates system images 180, 182 from the information acquired by the activity information acquisition unit 124, and the display processing unit 120 displays the system images 180, 182 on the output device 4. During game play, the display processing unit 120 may superimpose the system images 180, 182 on a game screen (not shown).

[0060] The system image 180 displays information 190 indicating that activity S is being performed, that its progress is 33%, and that a comment has been generated for activity S. The system image 182 displays information 192 indicating that activity X has not been performed, and that a comment has been generated for activity X. When the user selects the "Comment" area using the input device 6, the comment acquisition unit 128 requests the server device 5 to provide a comment for the activity.

[0061] When the user selects a display area of ​​the information 190 using the input device 6, the comment acquisition unit 128 requests the server device 5 to provide comments on the activity S. In the server device 5, the comment provision unit 222 reads out comments associated with the activity S from the comment recording unit 232 and provides them to the information processing device 10.

[0062] In the information processing device 10, the comment acquisition unit 128 acquires comments provided from the server device 5. The system image generation unit 126 generates a system image including the comments, and the display processing unit 120 displays the system image on the output device 4.

[0063] 12 shows an example of a system image displayed on the output device 4. The system image generation unit 126 generates a system image 184 from the comments acquired by the comment acquisition unit 128, and the display processing unit 120 displays the system image 184 on the output device 4. Comments generated by other players regarding activity S are displayed on the system image 184. This allows the user to view comments generated regarding activities that are being performed or have not yet been performed.

[0064] Users who view comments can rate comments created by other players. The evaluation values ​​of the comments are transmitted to the server device 5, and the server device 5 may rank the comments created by multiple players based on the evaluation values. This enables the comment providing unit 222 to provide the top-ranked comments to the user preferentially. Note that, when a friend of the user has created a comment, the comment providing unit 222 preferably provides the comment created by the friend to the user preferentially. In this case, the system images 180, 182 may display information indicating that a comment created by a friend exists.

[0065] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiments, activities are shown as an example of a unit of play, but a unit of play may also be a trophy, or may be composed of a stage without activities or trophies, a quest, a mission, a tournament, a session, etc.

[0066] In the embodiment, it has been described that the user inputs a comment regarding the activity when the save screen is displayed. In a modified example, the user may be able to input a comment regarding the activity at a different timing. For example, when the user ends game play and switches the information processing device 10 to a power saving mode, the system image generation unit 126 may display a message on the output device 4 inquiring whether the user wants to input a comment regarding the completed play unit. At this time, when the user responds to the message, the system image generation unit 126 may display a system image 150 so that the user can input a message regarding the activity.

[0067] The present disclosure can be used in a technical field in which a user inputs a comment.

[0068] 1...information processing system, 5...server device, 10...information processing device, 100...processing unit, 102...communication unit, 110...reception unit, 112...game execution unit, 114...game image generation unit, 116...game sound generation unit, 118...event information acquisition unit, 120...display processing unit, 122...transmission processing unit, 124...activity information acquisition unit, 126...system image generation unit, 128...comment acquisition unit, 200...processing unit, 202...communication unit, 210...event data acquisition unit, 212...comment acquisition unit, 214...request acquisition unit, 216...investigation unit, 218...activity information provision unit, 220...comment transfer unit, 222...comment provision unit, 230...event data recording unit, 232...comment recording unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising one or more processors having hardware, the one or more processors accepting comments input by a user regarding a unit of play performed, and transmitting the comments together with information identifying the unit of play performed.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors display an input area that allows the user to input comments regarding the unit of play performed.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors display, on a game save screen, information relating to one or more play units for which comments can be entered.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors display information relating to one or more play units in which comments can be entered when predetermined operation information is entered from an input device on a game save screen.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors, when switching to a power saving mode, inquire as to whether a comment regarding a played unit has been input.

6. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors display options for destinations of comments.

7. An information processing device comprising one or more processors having hardware, the one or more processors acquiring information relating to a unit of play that is being performed by a user or a unit of play that has not been performed by the user, and displaying information relating to the unit of play together with information indicating that a comment has been generated for the unit of play.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the one or more processors display comments generated regarding a unit of play.

9. A method for sending a comment, comprising the steps of: accepting a comment input by a user regarding a unit of play performed; and sending the comment together with information identifying the unit of play performed.

Images