JP7369674B2 - Programs, methods and viewing devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program, a method, and a viewing terminal.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the timing of push notifications set by the player depending on the degree of intimacy between the player and a favorite character.

JP2019-63595A

However, the timing of push notifications changes depending on intimacy, and there is room for improvement in how intimacy is used.

The present invention was devised in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a program, a method, and a viewing terminal that can enhance liking based on intimacy with a character.

According to an aspect of an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, there is provided a program executed in a viewing terminal including a processor, a memory, and a display unit, the program displaying a character that moves in real time according to the movements of a performer on the processor. a step of receiving display data to be broadcast live, a step of displaying the character on the display based on the display data, and a step of displaying the character during the live broadcast according to the user's intimacy with the character. and a step for changing the control content.

According to the present invention, liking can be increased based on intimacy with the character.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a game play terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a distribution terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal, a server, and an HMD set according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a distribution terminal according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of processing performed at a user terminal and a game play terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual space provided to a player and a visual field image visually recognized by the player, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual space provided to a user of a user terminal and a visual field image viewed by the user, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a visual field image visually recognized by a user of a user terminal. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a visual field image visually recognized by a user of a user terminal. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of processing performed at a game play terminal according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of processing executed in a user terminal according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of processing executed in a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list of users who have participated in a game, according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart showing a part of processing performed in a distribution terminal according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on a distribution terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another specific example of a screen displayed on a distribution terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of audio input by a player, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating still another specific example of a screen displayed on a distribution terminal and an overview of distribution of operation instruction data according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of audio input by a player, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating still another specific example of a screen displayed on a distribution terminal and an overview of distribution of operation instruction data according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of transmission of game progress information from a game play terminal to a user terminal according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of processing executed in a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of video playback. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another specific example of video playback. (A) is a diagram showing an example of an intimacy management table in which the user's intimacy with each of a plurality of characters is registered, and (B) is a diagram showing the font size of the user name and message, the color of the user name, It is a diagram showing an example of a comment display mode management table in which the background color of the comment UI is registered, and (C) is a diagram showing the tipping items that the user can insert and the amount of coins consumed by inserting the tipping items. It is a diagram showing an example of a registered tipping item management table, and (D) is a diagram showing an example of an intimacy point management table in which intimacy points given to users are registered for each character. (A) is a diagram showing an example of an episode management table in which releasable episodes are registered for each character, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a buddy candidate management table in which buddy candidates are registered. . (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of a live distribution video displayed on a user terminal, (B) is a diagram illustrating another example of a live distribution video displayed on a user terminal, and (C) is a diagram illustrating an example of a live distribution video displayed on a user terminal. (D) is a diagram showing still another example of the live delivery video displayed on the user terminal. (A) is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed on a user terminal, (B) is a diagram showing an example of a start screen for starting playback of an episode, and (C) is an example of an episode video. FIG. (A) is a flowchart showing a part of the flow of processing executed at the user terminal, and (B) is a flowchart showing another part of the flow of processing executed at the server.

A system according to the present disclosure is a system for providing a game to multiple users. The system will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the scope of the claims are included in the present invention. Ru. In the following description, the same elements are given the same reference numerals in the description of the drawings, and overlapping description will not be repeated.

<Operation overview of system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system 1 according to this embodiment. The system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100 (computers), a server 200, a game play terminal 300 (external device, second external device), and a distribution terminal 400 (external, first external device). Note that although FIG. 1 shows user terminals 100A to 100C, in other words, three user terminals 100, as an example of the plurality of user terminals 100, the number of user terminals 100 is not limited to the illustrated example. . Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there is no need to distinguish between the user terminals 100A to 100C, they are referred to as "user terminal 100." User terminal 100, game play terminal 300, and distribution terminal 400 are connected to server 200 via network 2. The network 2 includes the Internet and various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations (not shown). Examples of this mobile communication system include so-called 3G, 4G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can be connected to the Internet through predetermined access points. It will be done.

(Game overview)
In this embodiment, a game mainly played by a user of the game play terminal 300 will be described as an example of a game provided by the system 1 (hereinafter referred to as the main game). Hereinafter, the user of the game play terminal 300 will be referred to as a "player". For example, the player (performer) advances the game by operating a character that appears in the game. Furthermore, in this game, the user of the user terminal 100 plays a role of supporting the player's progress in the game. Details of this game will be described later. Note that the game provided by the system 1 may be any game in which a plurality of users participate, and is not limited to this example.

(Game play terminal 300)
Game play terminal 300 advances the game in response to input operations by the player. Furthermore, the game play terminal 300 sequentially delivers information generated by the player's game play (hereinafter referred to as game progress information) to the server 200 in real time.

(Server 200)
The server 200 transmits game progress information (second data) received in real time from the game play terminal 300 to the user terminal 100. Further, the server 200 mediates transmission and reception of various information between the user terminal 100, the game play terminal 300, and the distribution terminal 400.

(Distribution terminal 400)
The distribution terminal 400 generates motion instruction data (first data) in response to an input operation by the user of the distribution terminal 400, and distributes the motion instruction data to the user terminal 100 via the server 200. The motion instruction data is data for playing a video on the user terminal 100, and specifically, it is data for causing a character appearing in the video to move.

In this embodiment, as an example, the user of the distribution terminal 400 is a player of the present game. Further, as an example, the video played on the user terminal 100 based on the motion instruction data is a video in which a character operated by a player in a game moves. "Action" refers to moving at least part of the character's body, and includes speech. Therefore, the motion instruction data according to the present embodiment includes, for example, audio data for making the character speak and motion data for moving the character's body.

As an example, the action instruction data is transmitted to the user terminal 100 after the game ends. Details of the motion instruction data and the moving image played based on the motion instruction data will be described later.

(User terminal 100)
The user terminal 100 receives game progress information in real time, and uses the information to generate and display a game screen. In other words, the user terminal 100 reproduces the game screen of the game being played by the player by real-time rendering. This allows the user of the user terminal 100 to view the same game screen that the player is viewing while playing the game, at approximately the same timing as the player.

Furthermore, the user terminal 100 generates information for supporting the player's progress in the game in response to input operations by the user, and transmits the information to the game play terminal 300 via the server 200. Details of this information will be described later.

Further, the user terminal 100 receives motion instruction data from the distribution terminal 400, uses the motion instruction data to generate and reproduce a moving image (video). In other words, the user terminal 100 renders and reproduces the motion instruction data.

<Hardware configuration of system 1>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 200. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the game play terminal 300. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of distribution terminal 400.

(User terminal 100)
In this embodiment, an example in which the user terminal 100 is implemented as a smartphone will be described, but the user terminal 100 is not limited to a smartphone. For example, the user terminal 100 may be implemented as a feature phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer (so-called notebook computer), a desktop computer, or the like. Further, the user terminal 100 may be a game device suitable for playing games.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a communication interface (IF) 13, an input/output IF 14, a touch screen 15 (display section), a camera 17, and a measurement device. A distance sensor 18 is provided. These components included in the user terminal 100 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus. Note that, instead of or in addition to the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 may include an input/output IF 14 to which a display (display unit) configured separately from the user terminal 100 body can be connected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with one or more controllers 1020. The controller 1020 establishes communication with the user terminal 100, for example, according to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The controller 1020 may have one or more buttons or the like, and transmits an output value to the user terminal 100 based on a user's input operation on the button or the like. Further, the controller 1020 may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and transmits output values of the various sensors to the user terminal 100.

Note that instead of or in addition to the user terminal 100 including the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the controller 1020 may include the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18.

It is desirable that the user terminal 100 allows the user using the controller 1020 to input user identification information such as the user's name or login ID via the controller 1020, for example, when starting the game. This makes it possible for the user terminal 100 to link the controller 1020 and the user, and identify which user the received output value belongs to based on the source (controller 1020) of the received output value. be able to.

When the user terminal 100 communicates with a plurality of controllers 1020, by each user holding each controller 1020, the user terminal 100 can communicate with the one user terminal 100 without communicating with other devices such as the server 200 via the network 2. Multiplayer can be realized. In addition, each user terminal 100 communicates with each other using a wireless standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard (communicates without going through the server 200), thereby realizing local multiplayer with multiple user terminals 100. You can also. When the above-described multiplayer is locally implemented using one user terminal 100, the user terminal 100 may further include at least some of the various functions provided by the server 200, which will be described later. Moreover, when the above-mentioned multiplayer is realized locally by a plurality of user terminals 100, the plurality of user terminals 100 may have various functions provided in the server 200, which will be described later, in a distributed manner.

Note that even when the above-described multiplayer is implemented locally, the user terminal 100 may communicate with the server 200. For example, information indicating a play result such as a score or a win or loss in a certain game and user identification information may be associated with each other and transmitted to the server 200.

Further, the controller 1020 may be configured to be detachable from the user terminal 100. In this case, a coupling portion with the controller 1020 may be provided on at least one surface of the casing of the user terminal 100. When the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 are connected via a wire via the coupling section, the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 transmit and receive signals via the wire.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 100 may accept attachment of a storage medium 1030 such as an external memory card via the input/output IF 14. This allows the user terminal 100 to read programs and data recorded on the storage medium 1030. The program recorded on the storage medium 1030 is, for example, a game program.

The user terminal 100 may store a game program obtained by communicating with an external device such as the server 200 in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100, or may store a game program obtained by reading from the storage medium 1030 into the memory 11. It may be stored in

As explained above, the user terminal 100 includes the communication IF 13, the input/output IF 14, the touch screen 15, the camera 17, and the distance measurement sensor 18 as an example of a mechanism for inputting information to the user terminal 100. Each of the above-mentioned units serving as an input mechanism can be regarded as an operation unit configured to accept user input operations.

For example, when the operation unit is configured with at least one of the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the operation unit detects an object 1010 near the user terminal 100 and performs an input operation based on the detection result of the object. Identify. As an example, a user's hand, a marker with a predetermined shape, or the like is detected as the object 1010, and an input operation is specified based on the color, shape, movement, type, etc. of the object 1010 obtained as a detection result. Ru. More specifically, when the user's hand is detected from the captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 converts the gesture (a series of movements of the user's hand) detected based on the captured image into the user's input operation. be identified and accepted as such. Note that the photographed image may be a still image or a moving image.

Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 identifies and accepts the user's operation performed on the input unit 151 of the touch screen 15 as the user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the communication IF 13, the user terminal 100 identifies and receives a signal (for example, an output value) transmitted from the controller 1020 as a user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the input/output IF 14, a signal output from an input device (not shown) connected to the input/output IF 14 and different from the controller 1020 is identified and accepted as the user's input operation.

(Server 200)
Server 200 may be, by way of example, a general purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 200 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a communication IF 23, and an input/output IF 24. These components included in the server 200 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus.

(Game play terminal 300)
Game play terminal 300 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The game play terminal 300 includes a processor 30, a memory 31, a storage 32, a communication IF 33, and an input/output IF 34. These components included in the game play terminal 300 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus.

As shown in FIG. 4, the game play terminal 300 according to the present embodiment is included in an HMD (Head Mounted Display) set 1000, as an example. That is, it can be expressed that the HMD set 1000 is included in the system 1, and it can also be expressed that the player plays a game using the HMD set 1000. Note that the device for the player to play the game is not limited to the HMD set 1000. As an example, the device may be any device that allows the player to experience the game virtually. Further, the device may be realized as a smartphone, a feature phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer (so-called notebook computer), a desktop computer, or the like. Further, the device may be a game device suitable for playing games.

HMD set 1000 includes, in addition to game play terminal 300, HMD 500, HMD sensor 510, motion sensor 520, display 530, and controller 540. HMD 500 includes a monitor 51, a gaze sensor 52, a first camera 53, a second camera 54, a microphone 55, and a speaker 56. Controller 540 may include motion sensor 520.

The HMD 500 is attached to the player's head and can provide the player with a virtual space during operation. More specifically, HMD 500 displays a right eye image and a left eye image on monitor 51, respectively. When each of the player's eyes views each image, the player can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax between the eyes. The HMD 500 may include either a so-called head-mounted display including a monitor, or a head-mounted device to which a smartphone or other terminal having a monitor can be attached.

The monitor 51 is realized, for example, as a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 51 is arranged on the main body of the HMD 500 so as to be located in front of both eyes of the player. Therefore, when the player views the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 51, he or she can immerse himself in the virtual space. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that can be operated by the player, and an image of a menu that can be selected by the player. In one aspect, the monitor 51 can be implemented as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor included in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

In another aspect, the monitor 51 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 500 is not a closed type that covers the player's eyes as shown in FIG. 1, but may be an open type like a pair of glasses. The transmissive monitor 51 may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting its transmittance. The monitor 51 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of the image forming the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 51 may display an image of the real space taken with a camera mounted on the HMD 500, or may make the real space visible by setting the transmittance of a part to be high.

In one aspect, monitor 51 may include a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 51 may be configured to display the right eye image and the left eye image as one unit. In this case, monitor 51 includes a high speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that images for the right eye and images for the left eye can be alternately displayed so that the images are only perceived by one eye.

In one aspect, HMD 500 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared rays. HMD sensor 510 has a position tracking function for detecting movement of HMD 500. More specifically, HMD sensor 510 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by HMD 500 and detects the position and tilt of HMD 500 in real space.

In another aspect, HMD sensor 510 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 510 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD 500 by performing image analysis processing using image information of the HMD 500 output from the camera.

In another aspect, HMD 500 may include a sensor (not shown) as a position detector instead of or in addition to HMD sensor 510. HMD 500 can detect its own position and inclination using the sensor. For example, when the sensor is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor, HMD 500 can detect its own position and inclination using any of these sensors instead of HMD sensor 510. As an example, when the sensor provided in HMD 500 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects the angular velocity around three axes of HMD 500 in real space over time. The HMD 500 calculates temporal changes in angles around the three axes of the HMD 500 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD 500 based on the temporal changes in angles.

The gaze sensor 52 detects the direction in which the player's right and left eyes are directed. In other words, the gaze sensor 52 detects the player's line of sight. Detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized, for example, by a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 52 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, gaze sensor 52 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 52 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the player's right and left eyes with infrared light and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris of the irradiated light. The gaze sensor 52 can detect the player's line of sight based on each detected rotation angle.

The first camera 53 photographs the lower part of the player's face. More specifically, the first camera 53 photographs the player's nose, mouth, and the like. The second camera 54 photographs the player's eyes, eyebrows, and the like. The player-side casing of the HMD 500 is defined as the inside of the HMD 500, and the casing of the HMD 500 on the opposite side from the player is defined as the outside of the HMD 500. In one aspect, the first camera 53 may be placed outside the HMD 500, and the second camera 54 may be placed inside the HMD 500. Images generated by the first camera 53 and the second camera 54 are input to the game play terminal 300. In another aspect, the first camera 53 and the second camera 54 may be implemented as one camera, and the player's face may be photographed with this one camera.

The microphone 55 converts the player's speech into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs it to the game play terminal 300. The speaker 56 converts the audio signal into audio and outputs it to the player. In another aspect, HMD 500 may include earphones instead of speaker 56.

Controller 540 is connected to game play terminal 300 by wire or wirelessly. Controller 540 accepts command input from the player to game play terminal 300 . In one aspect, controller 540 is configured to be graspable by the player. In another aspect, the controller 540 is configured to be attachable to the player's body or part of his clothing. In yet another aspect, controller 540 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal transmitted from game play terminal 300. In yet another aspect, the controller 540 receives operations from the player for controlling the position and movement of objects placed in the virtual space.

In some aspects, controller 540 includes multiple light sources. Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED that emits infrared rays. HMD sensor 510 has a position tracking function. In this case, the HMD sensor 510 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by the controller 540 and detects the position and tilt of the controller 540 in real space. In another aspect, HMD sensor 510 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 510 can detect the position and tilt of the controller 540 by executing image analysis processing using image information of the controller 540 output from the camera.

In one aspect, the motion sensor 520 is attached to the player's hand and detects the movement of the player's hand. For example, the motion sensor 520 detects the rotation speed, number of rotations, etc. of the hand. The detected signal is sent to game play terminal 300. Motion sensor 520 is provided in controller 540, for example. In one aspect, the motion sensor 520 is provided, for example, in a controller 540 that is configured to be held by the player. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 540 is attached to the player's hand, such as a glove, so that it cannot easily fly away. In yet another aspect, a sensor not attached to the player may detect the player's hand movements. For example, a signal from a camera that photographs the player may be input to the game play terminal 300 as a signal representing the player's actions. The motion sensor 520 and the game play terminal 300 are, for example, connected to each other wirelessly. In the case of wireless communication, the communication form is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth or other known communication methods may be used.

Display 530 displays an image similar to the image displayed on monitor 51. This allows users other than the player wearing the HMD 500 to view the same images as the player. The image displayed on the display 530 does not need to be a three-dimensional image, and may be an image for the right eye or an image for the left eye. Examples of the display 530 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

The game play terminal 300 moves the character to be operated by the player based on various information acquired from each part of the HMD 500, the controller 540, and the motion sensor 520, and advances the game. "Actions" here include moving parts of the body, changing posture, changing facial expressions, moving, speaking, touching and moving objects placed in virtual space, and the character's movements. This includes the use of grasping weapons, tools, etc. That is, in this game, when the player moves each part of his body, the character also moves each part of his body in the same way as the player. Furthermore, in this game, the character speaks what the player has said. In other words, in this game, the character is an avatar object that acts as the player's alter ego. As an example, at least some of the character's actions may be performed by input to the controller 540 by the player.

In this embodiment, the motion sensors 520 are attached to, for example, both hands of the player, both feet of the player, the waist of the player, and the head of the player. The motion sensors 520 attached to both hands of the player may be provided on the controller 540, as described above. Moreover, the motion sensor 520 attached to the player's head may be provided in the HMD 500. Motion sensor 520 may also be attached to both elbows or knees of the user. By increasing the number of motion sensors 520 attached to the player, the player's movements can be more accurately reflected on the character. Further, instead of attaching the motion sensors 520 to various parts of the body, the player may wear a suit to which one or more motion sensors 520 are attached. In other words, the motion capture method is not limited to the example using the motion sensor 520.

(Distribution terminal 400)
Distribution terminal 400 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. Furthermore, the distribution terminal 400 may be a so-called stationary terminal such as a desktop computer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution terminal 400 includes a processor 40, a memory 41, a storage 42, a communication IF 43, an input/output IF 44, and a touch screen 45. Note that, instead of or in addition to the touch screen 45, the distribution terminal 400 may include an input/output IF 44 to which a display (display unit) configured separately from the distribution terminal 400 main body can be connected.

Controller 1021 may include physical input mechanisms such as one or more buttons, levers, sticks, wheels, etc. The controller 1021 transmits to the distribution terminal 400 an output value based on an input operation input to the input mechanism by the operator of the distribution terminal 400 (player in this embodiment). Further, the controller 1021 may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and may transmit output values of the various sensors to the distribution terminal 400. The above output value is received by the distribution terminal 400 via the communication IF 43.

Distribution terminal 400 may include a camera and a distance measurement sensor (both not shown). In place of or in addition to the distribution terminal 400, the controller 1021 may include a camera and a distance measuring sensor.

As described above, the distribution terminal 400 includes the communication IF 43, the input/output IF 44, and the touch screen 45 as an example of a mechanism for inputting information to the distribution terminal 400. Each of the above-mentioned units serving as an input mechanism can be regarded as an operation unit configured to accept user input operations.

When the operation unit is configured with the touch screen 45, the distribution terminal 400 identifies and accepts the user's operation performed on the input unit 451 of the touch screen 45 as the user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the communication IF 43, the distribution terminal 400 identifies and receives a signal (for example, an output value) transmitted from the controller 1021 as a user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the input/output IF 44, the distribution terminal 400 identifies and receives a signal output from an input device (not shown) connected to the input/output IF 44 as the user's input operation.

<Hardware components of each device>
Processors 10, 20, 30, and 40 control the overall operation of user terminal 100, server 200, game play terminal 300, and distribution terminal 400, respectively. The processors 10, 20, 30, and 40 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Processors 10, 20, 30, and 40 read programs from storages 12, 22, 32, and 42, respectively, which will be described later. Then, the processors 10, 20, 30, and 40 expand the read programs into memories 11, 21, 31, and 41, which will be described later. The processors 10, 20, and 30 execute the expanded program.

Memories 11, 21, 31, and 41 are main storage devices. The memories 11, 21, 31, and 41 are composed of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 11 provides a work area for the processor 10 by temporarily storing programs and various data that the processor 10 reads from a storage 12, which will be described later. The memory 11 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 10 is operating according to a program. The memory 21 provides a work area for the processor 20 by temporarily storing various programs and data that the processor 20 reads from a storage 22, which will be described later. The memory 21 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 20 is operating according to a program. The memory 31 provides a work area for the processor 30 by temporarily storing various programs and data that the processor 30 reads from a storage 32, which will be described later. The memory 31 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 30 is operating according to a program. The memory 41 provides a work area for the processor 40 by temporarily storing programs and various data that the processor 40 reads from a storage 42, which will be described later. The memory 41 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 40 is operating according to a program.

In this embodiment, the program executed by the processors 10 and 30 may be a game program of the present game. In this embodiment, the program executed by the processor 40 may be a distribution program for realizing distribution of operation instruction data. Further, the processor 10 may further execute a viewing program for realizing playback of a moving image.

In this embodiment, the program executed by the processor 20 may be at least one of the above-described game program, distribution program, and viewing program. The processor 20 executes at least one of a game program, a distribution program, and a viewing program in response to a request from at least one of the user terminal 100, the game play terminal 300, and the distribution terminal 400. Note that the distribution program and the viewing program may be executed in parallel.

That is, the game program may be a program that realizes a game through cooperation between the user terminal 100, the server 200, and the game play terminal 300. The distribution program may be a program that realizes distribution of operation instruction data through cooperation between the server 200 and the distribution terminal 400. The viewing program may be a program that realizes video playback through cooperation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200.

The storages 12, 22, 32, and 42 are auxiliary storage devices. The storages 12, 22, 32, and 42 are composed of storage devices such as flash memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storages 12 and 32 store, for example, various data related to games. The storage 42 stores various data related to distribution of operation instruction data. Further, the storage 12 stores various data related to playback of moving images. The storage 22 may store at least a portion of various data related to games, distribution of motion instruction data, and playback of videos.

Communication IFs 13, 23, 33, and 43 control transmission and reception of various data in user terminal 100, server 200, game play terminal 300, and distribution terminal 400, respectively. The communication IFs 13, 23, 33, and 43 are capable of, for example, communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, wireless LAN, Internet communication via a mobile phone network, and communication using short-range wireless communication. Control.

The input/output IFs 14, 24, 34, and 44 are interfaces through which the user terminal 100, server 200, game play terminal 300, and distribution terminal 400 receive data input and output data, respectively. The input/output IFs 14, 24, 34, and 44 may input/output data via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input/output IFs 14, 24, 34, 44 may include physical buttons, cameras, microphones, speakers, mice, keyboards, displays, sticks, levers, and the like. Furthermore, the input/output IFs 14, 24, 34, and 44 may include connections for transmitting and receiving data with peripheral devices.

The touch screen 15 is an electronic component that combines an input section 151 and a display section 152 (display). The touch screen 45 is an electronic component that combines an input section 451 and a display section 452. The input units 151 and 451 are, for example, touch-sensitive devices, and are configured by, for example, touch pads. The display units 152 and 452 are configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

The input units 151 and 451 detect the position where a user's operation (mainly physical contact operations such as touch operation, slide operation, swipe operation, and tap operation) is input on the input screen, and generate information indicating the position. It has a function to transmit as an input signal. The input units 151 and 451 may include a touch sensing unit (not shown). The touch sensing section may employ any method such as a capacitance method or a resistive film method.

Although not illustrated, the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400 may each include one or more sensors for identifying the holding posture of the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400. This sensor may be, for example, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor.

When the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400 are equipped with sensors, the processors 10 and 40 respectively identify the holding postures of the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400 from the outputs of the sensors, and perform processing according to the holding postures. It also becomes possible. For example, when the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400 are held in portrait orientation, the processors 10 and 40 may display portrait images on the display units 152 and 452, respectively. On the other hand, when the user terminal 100 and the distribution terminal 400 are held horizontally, a horizontal screen display may be used in which a horizontally long image is displayed on the display unit. In this way, processors 10 and 40 may be able to switch between vertical screen display and horizontal screen display depending on the holding posture of user terminal 100 and distribution terminal 400, respectively.

<Functional configuration of system 1>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the user terminal 100, server 200, and HMD set 1000 included in the system 1. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of distribution terminal 400 shown in FIG. 6.

The user terminal 100 has a function as an input device that receives input operations from a user, and a function as an output device that outputs images and sounds of the game. The user terminal 100 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 10, memory 11, storage 12, communication IF 13, input/output IF 14, touch screen 15, and the like.

The server 200 has a function of mediating the transmission and reception of various information between the user terminal 100, the HMD set 1000, and the distribution terminal 400. The server 200 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through cooperation of the processor 20, memory 21, storage 22, communication IF 23, input/output IF 24, and the like.

The HMD set 1000 (game play terminal 300) functions as an input device that receives input operations from the player, functions as an output device that outputs game images and sounds, and transmits game progress information to the user via the server 200. It has a function of transmitting to the terminal 100 in real time. The HMD set 1000 controls the control unit 310 by the cooperation of the processor 30, memory 31, storage 32, communication IF 33, input/output IF 34 of the game play terminal 300, as well as the HMD 500, HMD sensor 510, motion sensor 520, controller 540, etc. and functions as a storage unit 320.

The distribution terminal 400 has a function of generating action instruction data and transmitting the action instruction data to the user terminal 100 via the server 200. Distribution terminal 400 functions as control section 410 and storage section 420 through cooperation of processor 40, memory 41, storage 42, communication IF 43, input/output IF 44, touch screen 45, and the like.

(Data stored in the storage unit of each device)
The storage unit 120 stores a game program 131 (program), game information 132, and user information 133. Storage unit 220 stores game program 231, game information 232, user information 233, and user list 234. Storage unit 320 stores game program 331, game information 332, and user information 333. The storage unit 420 stores a user list 421, a motion list 422, and a distribution program 423 (program, second program).

Game programs 131, 231, and 331 are game programs executed by user terminal 100, server 200, and HMD set 1000, respectively. This game is realized by each device working together based on the game programs 131, 231, and 331. Note that the game programs 131 and 331 may be stored in the storage unit 220 and downloaded to the user terminal 100 and the HMD set 1000, respectively. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user terminal 100 renders data received from the distribution terminal 400 based on the game program 131, and plays back a video. In other words, the game program 131 is also a program for reproducing a video using video instruction data distributed from the distribution terminal 400. A program for playing the video may be different from the game program 131. In this case, the storage unit 120 stores a program for playing the moving image separately from the game program 131.

The game information 132, 232, and 332 are data that the user terminal 100, the server 200, and the HMD set 1000 refer to when executing the game program, respectively. The user information 133, 233, and 333 is data related to the account of the user of the user terminal 100. The game information 232 is the game information 132 of each user terminal 100 and the game information 332 of the HMD set 1000. The user information 233 is the player's user information included in the user information 133 of each user terminal 100 and the user information 333. The user information 333 is the user information 133 of each user terminal 100 and the user information of the player.

The user list 234 and the user list 421 are lists of users who have participated in the game. The user list 234 and the user list 421 may include a list of users who participated in the most recent game play by the player, as well as a list of users who participated in each game play before the game play. The motion list 422 is a list of a plurality of motion data created in advance. The motion list 422 is, for example, a list in which motion data is associated with each piece of information that identifies each motion (eg, motion name). The distribution program 423 is a program for realizing distribution of operation instruction data for playing a moving image on the user terminal 100 to the user terminal 100.

(Functional configuration of server 200)
The control unit 210 centrally controls the server 200 by executing the game program 231 stored in the storage unit 220. For example, the control unit 210 mediates transmission and reception of various information between the user terminal 100, the HMD set 1000, and the distribution terminal 400.

The control unit 210 functions as a communication intermediary unit 211, a log generation unit 212, and a list generation unit 213 according to the description of the game program 231. The control unit 210 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to mediate the transmission and reception of various information related to game play and distribution of action instruction data, and to support the progress of the game.

The communication intermediary unit 211 mediates the transmission and reception of various information between the user terminal 100, the HMD set 1000, and the distribution terminal 400. For example, the communication intermediary unit 211 transmits game progress information received from the HMD set 1000 to the user terminal 100. The game progress information includes data indicating the movements of the character operated by the player, parameters of the character, information on items and weapons possessed by the character, enemy characters, and the like. The server 200 transmits game progress information to the user terminals 100 of all users participating in the game. In other words, the server 200 transmits common game progress information to the user terminals 100 of all users participating in the game. As a result, the game progresses in the same manner as in the HMD set 1000 on each of the user terminals 100 of all users participating in the game.

Further, for example, the communication intermediary unit 211 transmits information received from one of the user terminals 100 and used to support the progress of the game by the player to the other user terminals 100 and the HMD set 1000. The information may be, for example, item information indicating an item to be provided to the player (character), which is an item for the player to progress through the game advantageously. The item information includes information indicating the user who provided the item (user name, user ID, etc.). Further, the communication intermediary unit 211 may mediate the distribution of operation instruction data from the distribution terminal 400 to the user terminal 100.

The log generation unit 212 generates a game progress log based on the game progress information received from the HMD set 1000. The list generation unit 213 generates a user list 234 after the game play ends. Although details will be described later, each user in the user list 234 is associated with a tag indicating the content of the support provided to the player by that user. The list generation unit 213 generates a tag based on the game progress log generated by the log generation unit 212, and associates the tag with the corresponding user. Note that the list generation unit 213 may associate, as a tag, the content of support for the player provided by each user, which is input by a game operator or the like using a terminal device such as a personal computer, with the corresponding user. . This makes the details of the support provided by each user more detailed. Note that when the user participates in the game, the user terminal 100 transmits information indicating the user to the server 200 based on the user's operation. For example, the user terminal 100 transmits the user ID input by the user to the server 200. That is, the server 200 holds information indicating each user for all users participating in the game. The list generation unit 213 may generate the user list 234 using this information.

(Functional configuration of HMD set 1000)
The control unit 310 comprehensively controls the HMD set 1000 by executing the game program 331 stored in the storage unit 320. For example, the control unit 310 advances the game according to the game program 331 and the player's operations. Further, while the game is progressing, the control unit 310 communicates with the server 200 to send and receive information as necessary. The control unit 310 may directly transmit and receive information to and from the user terminal 100 without going through the server 200.

The control unit 310 includes an operation reception unit 311, a display control unit 312, a UI control unit 313, an animation generation unit 314, a game progression unit 315, a virtual space control unit 316, and a reaction processing unit 317 according to the description of the game program 331. functions as The control unit 310 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to control characters appearing in the game depending on the nature of the game being executed.

The operation reception unit 311 detects and receives input operations from the player. The operation reception unit 311 receives signals input from the HMD 500, motion sensor 520, controller 540, etc., determines what input operation has been performed, and outputs the results to each element of the control unit 310.

The UI control unit 313 controls a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) image displayed on the monitor 51, display 530, and the like. The UI image is a tool for the player to input information necessary for the progress of the game to the HMD set 1000, or a tool for obtaining information outputted from the HMD set 1000 during the progress of the game. UI images include, but are not limited to, icons, buttons, lists, menu screens, etc., for example.

The animation generation unit 314 generates animations showing motions of various objects based on control modes of the various objects. For example, the animation generation unit 314 may generate an animation that shows an object (for example, a player's avatar object) moving, moving its mouth, or changing its expression as if it were there. .

The game progression unit 315 advances the game based on the game program 331, input operations by the player, and actions of the avatar object in response to the input operations. For example, the game progression unit 315 performs predetermined game processing when the avatar object performs a predetermined action. Further, for example, the game progression unit 315 may receive information representing a user's operation on the user terminal 100, and perform game processing based on the user's operation. Further, the game progress unit 315 generates game progress information according to the progress of the game, and transmits it to the server 200. The game progress information is transmitted to the user terminal 100 via the server 200. Thereby, the progress of the game on the HMD set 1000 is shared on the user terminal 100. In other words, the progress of the game on HMD set 1000 and the progress of the game on user terminal 100 are synchronized.

The virtual space control unit 316 performs various controls regarding the virtual space provided to the player in accordance with the progress of the game. As an example, the virtual space control unit 316 generates various objects and places them in the virtual space. Further, the virtual space control unit 316 arranges a virtual camera in the virtual space. Further, the virtual space control unit 316 operates various objects arranged in the virtual space according to the progress of the game. Further, the virtual space control unit 316 controls the position and tilt of a virtual camera placed in the virtual space according to the progress of the game.

The display control unit 312 outputs, to the monitor 51 and display 530, a game screen that reflects the processing results executed by each of the above-mentioned elements. The display control unit 312 may display an image based on the field of view from a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space on the monitor 51 and the display 530 as a game screen. Furthermore, the display control unit 312 may include the animation generated by the animation generation unit 314 in the game screen. Further, the display control unit 312 may draw the above-mentioned UI image controlled by the UI control unit 313 in a superimposed manner on the game screen.

The reaction processing unit 317 receives feedback from the user of the user terminal 100 regarding reactions to the player's game play, and outputs the feedback to the player. In this embodiment, for example, the user terminal 100 can create a comment (message) addressed to the avatar object based on the user's input operation. The reaction processing unit 317 receives comment data of the comment and outputs it. The reaction processing unit 317 may display text data corresponding to the user's comment on the monitor 51 and display 530, or may output audio data corresponding to the user's comment from a speaker (not shown). In the former case, the reaction processing unit 317 may draw an image corresponding to the text data (that is, an image including the content of the comment) superimposed on the game screen.

(Functional configuration of user terminal 100)
The control unit 110 comprehensively controls the user terminal 100 by executing the game program 131 stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 advances the game according to the game program 131 and the user's operations. Further, while the game is progressing, the control unit 110 communicates with the server 200 to send and receive information as necessary. The control unit 110 may directly transmit and receive information to and from the HMD set 1000 without going through the server 200.

The control unit 110 includes an operation reception unit 111, a display control unit 112, a UI control unit 113, an animation generation unit 114, a game progression unit 115, a virtual space control unit 116, and a video playback unit 117 according to the description of the game program 131. functions as The control unit 110 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to advance the game depending on the nature of the game being executed.

The operation reception unit 111 detects and accepts a user's input operation on the input unit 151. The operation reception unit 111 determines what input operation has been performed from the user's actions on the console via the touch screen 15 and other input/output IF 14, and outputs the result to each element of the control unit 110. do.

For example, the operation reception unit 111 receives an input operation on the input unit 151, detects the coordinates of the input position of the input operation, and identifies the type of the input operation. The operation reception unit 111 specifies, for example, a touch operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a tap operation, etc. as the type of input operation. Further, when the continuously detected input is interrupted, the operation reception unit 111 detects that the contact input from the touch screen 15 is released.

The UI control unit 113 controls a UI image to be displayed on the display unit 152 in order to construct a UI, depending on at least one of the user's input operation and the received game progress information. The UI image is a tool for the user to input information necessary for the progress of the game to the user terminal 100, or a tool for obtaining information outputted from the user terminal 100 during the progress of the game. UI images include, but are not limited to, icons, buttons, lists, menu screens, etc., for example.

The animation generation unit 114 generates animations showing motions of various objects based on control modes of the various objects.

The game progression unit 115 advances the game based on the game program 131, received game progression information, input operations by the user, and the like. When the game progress unit 115 performs a predetermined game process based on an input operation by the user, the game progress unit 115 transmits information regarding the game process to the HMD set 1000 via the server 200 . Thereby, the predetermined game processing is shared among the HMD sets 1000. In other words, the progress of the game on HMD set 1000 and the progress of the game on user terminal 100 are synchronized. The predetermined game process is, for example, a process of providing an item to an avatar object, and in this example, the information regarding the game process is the item information described above.

The virtual space control unit 116 performs various controls regarding the virtual space provided to the user in accordance with the progress of the game. As an example, the virtual space control unit 116 generates various objects and places them in the virtual space. Further, the virtual space control unit 116 arranges a virtual camera in the virtual space. Further, the virtual space control unit 116 operates various objects arranged in the virtual space according to the progress of the game, specifically, the received game progress information. Further, the virtual space control unit 316 controls the position and tilt of the virtual camera placed in the virtual space according to the progress of the game, specifically, the received game progress information.

The display control unit 112 outputs, to the display unit 152, a game screen on which the results of processing performed by each of the above-mentioned elements are reflected. The display control unit 112 may display, as a game screen, an image based on the field of view from a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space provided to the user on the display unit 152. Furthermore, the display control unit 112 may include the animation generated by the animation generation unit 114 in the game screen. Further, the display control unit 112 may draw the above-mentioned UI image controlled by the UI control unit 113 in a superimposed manner on the game screen. In any case, the game screen displayed on display unit 152 is the same game screen as the game screen displayed on other user terminals 100 and HMD set 1000.

The video playback unit 117 analyzes (render) the motion instruction data received from the distribution terminal 400 and plays back the video.

(Functional configuration of distribution terminal 400)
The control unit 410 comprehensively controls the distribution terminal 400 by executing a program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 420. For example, the control unit 410 generates motion instruction data and distributes it to the user terminal 100 according to the program and the operation of the user (in this embodiment, the player) of the distribution terminal 400 . Further, the control unit 410 communicates with the server 200 to send and receive information as necessary. The control unit 410 may directly transmit and receive information to and from the user terminal 100 without going through the server 200.

The control unit 410 functions as a communication control unit 411, a display control unit 412, an operation reception unit 413, a voice reception unit 414, a motion identification unit 415, and a motion instruction data generation unit 416 according to the program description. The control unit 410 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to generate and distribute operation instruction data.

The communication control unit 411 controls transmission and reception of information with the server 200 or the user terminal 100 via the server 200. The communication control unit 411 receives the user list 421 from the server 200, for example. Furthermore, the communication control unit 411 transmits operation instruction data to the user terminal 100, as an example.

The display control unit 412 outputs various screens on which the results of processing executed by each element are reflected to the display unit 452. The display control unit 412 displays a screen including the received user list 234, as an example. Further, the display control unit 412 displays, for example, a screen including a motion list 422 for allowing the player to select motion data for making the avatar object move, which is included in the movement instruction data to be distributed.

The operation reception unit 413 detects and accepts a player's input operation on the input unit 151. The operation reception unit 111 determines what input operation has been performed based on the action exerted by the player on the console via the touch screen 45 and other input/output IF 44, and outputs the result to each element of the control unit 410. do.

For example, the operation reception unit 413 receives an input operation on the input unit 451, detects the coordinates of the input position of the input operation, and specifies the type of the input operation. The operation reception unit 413 specifies, for example, a touch operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a tap operation, etc. as the type of input operation. Further, when the continuously detected input is interrupted, the operation reception unit 413 detects that the contact input from the touch screen 45 is released.

The audio reception unit 414 receives audio generated around the distribution terminal 400, and generates audio data of the audio. For example, the audio reception unit 414 receives audio uttered by the player and generates audio data of the audio.

The motion specifying unit 415 specifies motion data selected by the player from the motion list 422 in response to the player's input operation.

The motion instruction data generation unit 416 generates motion instruction data. As an example, the motion instruction data generation unit 416 generates motion instruction data including generated audio data and specified motion data.

Note that the functions of HMD set 1000, server 200, and user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 6, and the functions of distribution terminal 400 shown in FIG. 7 are only examples. Each of the HMD set 1000, server 200, user terminal 100, and distribution terminal 400 may have at least some of the functions of other devices. Furthermore, another device other than the HMD set 1000, the server 200, the user terminal 100, and the distribution terminal 400 may be used as a component of the system 1, and a part of the processing in the system 1 may be executed by the other device. That is, the computer that executes the game program in this embodiment may be any of the HMD set 1000, the server 200, the user terminal 100, the distribution terminal 400, and other devices, or a plurality of these devices. It may be realized by a combination of devices.

<Virtual space control processing>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of control processing for the virtual space provided to the player and the virtual space provided to the user of the user terminal 100. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space 600A provided to the player and a visual field image visually recognized by the player, according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space 600B provided to the user of the user terminal 100 and a visual field image viewed by the user, according to an embodiment. Note that hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the virtual spaces 600A and 600B, they will be referred to as "virtual space 600."

In step S1, the processor 30 defines a virtual space 600A shown in FIG. 9 as the virtual space control unit 316. Processor 30 defines virtual space 600A using virtual space data (not shown). The virtual space data may be stored in the game play terminal 300, may be generated by the processor 30 based on the game program 331, or may be obtained by the processor 30 from an external device such as the server 200. Good too.

For example, the virtual space 600 has a spherical structure that covers the entire 360 degrees of a point defined as the center. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 600 is illustrated in order not to complicate the explanation.

In step S2, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, places the avatar object 610 (character) in the virtual space 600A. The avatar object 610 is an avatar object associated with the player, and operates according to the player's input operation.

In step S3, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, places other objects in the virtual space 600A. In the example of FIG. 9, processor 30 places objects 631-634. Other objects include, for example, character objects (so-called non-player characters, NPCs) that operate according to the game program 331, operation objects such as virtual hands, animals, plants, artificial objects, natural objects, etc. that are arranged as the game progresses. May include objects, etc.

In step S4, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, arranges the virtual camera 620A in the virtual space 600A. For example, the processor 30 places the virtual camera 620A at the head position of the avatar object 610.

In step S5, processor 30 displays visual field image 650 on monitor 51 and display 530. Processor 30 defines viewing area 640A, which is the field of view from virtual camera 620A in virtual space 600A, according to the initial position and tilt of virtual camera 620A. The processor 30 then defines a view image 650 corresponding to the view area 640A. Processor 30 displays visual field image 650 on HMD 500 and display 530 by outputting visual field image 650 to monitor 51 and display 530.

In the example of FIG. 9, since a part of the object 634 is included in the viewing area 640A as shown in FIG. 9(A), the viewing image 650 is a portion of the object 634 as shown in FIG. 9(B). Including.

In step S6, the processor 30 transmits the initial arrangement information to the user terminal 100 via the server 200. The initial placement information is information indicating the initial placement positions of various objects in the virtual space 600A. In the example of FIG. 9, the initial placement information includes information on the initial placement positions of the avatar object 610 and objects 631 to 634. The initial arrangement information can also be expressed as one type of game progress information.

In step S7, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, controls the virtual camera 620A according to the movement of the HMD 500. Specifically, processor 30 controls the direction and tilt of virtual camera 620A according to the movement of HMD 500, that is, the posture of the player's head. As will be described later, when the player moves his head (changes the posture of his head), processor 30 moves the head of avatar object 610 in accordance with this movement. For example, the processor 30 controls the direction and tilt of the virtual camera 620A so that the direction of the line of sight of the avatar object 610 and the direction of the line of sight of the virtual camera 620A match. In step S8, the processor 30 updates the view image 650 in response to the change in the orientation and inclination of the virtual camera 620A.

In step S9, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, moves the avatar object 610 according to the player's movement. As an example, the processor 30 moves the avatar object 610 in the virtual space 600A in response to the player's movement in the real space. Furthermore, the processor 30 moves the head of the avatar object 610 in the virtual space 600A in response to the player moving his head in the real space.

In step S10, the processor 30, as the virtual space control unit 316, moves the virtual camera 620A to follow the avatar object 610. In other words, virtual camera 620A is always located at the head of avatar object 610 even if avatar object 610 moves.

Processor 30 updates field of view image 650 in response to movement of virtual camera 620A. That is, the processor 30 updates the viewing area 640A according to the posture of the player's head and the position of the virtual camera 620A in the virtual space 600A. As a result, the field of view image 650 is updated.

In step S11, processor 30 transmits motion instruction data for avatar object 610 to user terminal 100 via server 200. The motion instruction data here includes motion data capturing the player's motions, audio data of the voice uttered by the player, and operation data indicating the content of input operations to the controller 540 during the virtual experience (for example, during game play). Contains at least one of them. When the player is playing the game, the action instruction data is transmitted to the user terminal 100 as, for example, game progress information.

The processes of steps S7 to S11 are continuously and repeatedly executed while the player is playing the game.

In step S21, the processor 10 of the user terminal 100 of the user 3 defines the virtual space 600B shown in FIG. 10 as the virtual space control unit 116. Processor 10 defines virtual space 600B using virtual space data (not shown). The virtual space data may be stored in the user terminal 100, may be generated by the processor 10 based on the game program 131, or may be obtained by the processor 10 from an external device such as the server 200. good.

In step S22, the processor 10 receives initial placement information. In step S23, the processor 10, as the virtual space control unit 116, arranges various objects in the virtual space 600B according to the initial arrangement information. In the example of FIG. 10, the various objects are an avatar object 610 and objects 631 to 634.

In step S24, the processor 10, as the virtual space control unit 116, arranges the virtual camera 620B in the virtual space 600B. As an example, the processor 10 places the virtual camera 620B at the position shown in FIG. 10(A).

In step S25, the processor 10 displays the visual field image 660 on the display unit 152. Processor 10 defines viewing area 640B, which is the viewing area from virtual camera 620B in virtual space 600B, according to the initial position and tilt of virtual camera 620B. The processor 10 then defines a view image 660 corresponding to the view area 640B. The processor 10 displays the visual field image 660 on the display unit 152 by outputting the visual field image 660 to the display unit 152.

In the example of FIG. 10, since the avatar object 610 and the object 631 are included in the viewing area 640B as shown in FIG. 10(A), the viewing image 660 is and object 631.

In step S26, processor 10 receives operation instruction data. In step S27, the processor 10, as the virtual space control unit 116, moves the avatar object 610 in the virtual space 600B according to the motion instruction data. In other words, the processor 10 reproduces the video of the avatar object 610 operating by real-time rendering.

In step S28, the processor 10, as the virtual space control unit 116, controls the virtual camera 620B according to the user's operation received by the operation reception unit 111. In step S29, the processor 10 updates the view image 660 in response to the change in the position of the virtual camera 620B in the virtual space 600B, and the orientation and tilt of the virtual camera 620B. Note that in step S28, the processor 10 may automatically control the virtual camera 620B according to the movement of the avatar object 610, for example, the movement of the avatar object 610 or a change in direction. For example, the processor 10 may automatically move the virtual camera 620B or change the orientation and inclination so as to always photograph the avatar object 610 from the front. Further, as an example, the processor 10 may automatically move the virtual camera 620B so as to always photograph the avatar object 610 from behind, or change the direction and tilt according to the movement of the avatar object 610. good.

In this way, in the virtual space 600A, the avatar object 610 moves according to the movement of the player. Operation instruction data indicating this operation is transmitted to the user terminal 100. In the virtual space 600B, the avatar object 610 operates according to the received motion instruction data. As a result, the avatar object 610 performs similar operations in the virtual space 600A and the virtual space 600B. In other words, the user 3 can use the user terminal 100 to visually recognize the actions of the avatar object 610 in accordance with the actions of the player.

<Game Overview>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the view image displayed on the user terminal 100. Specifically, it is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of a game (main game) executed by the system 1, which is being played by a player.

As an example, in this game, an avatar object 610 that operates a weapon such as a gun or a knife, and a plurality of enemy objects 671 that are NPCs appear in a virtual space 600, and the avatar object 610 has a battle with the enemy objects 671. It is a game that allows you to Various game parameters such as the physical strength of the avatar object 610, the number of usable magazines, the number of bullets remaining in the gun, and the number of remaining enemy objects 671 are updated as the game progresses.

This game includes a plurality of stages, and the player can clear each stage by satisfying predetermined achievement conditions associated with each stage. The predetermined achievement conditions include, for example, defeating all the enemy objects 671 that appear, defeating a boss object among the enemy objects 671 that appear, acquiring a predetermined item, reaching a predetermined position, etc. It may also include conditions for The achievement conditions are defined within the game program 131. In addition, in accordance with the content of the game, the player clears the stage when the achievement condition is satisfied. In other words, the player clears the stage when the avatar object 610 defeats the enemy object 671 (the avatar object 610 and the enemy object 671 (win or loss) will be determined. On the other hand, for example, when the game executed by the system 1 is a racing game or the like, the ranking of the avatar object 610 is determined when the condition of reaching the goal is satisfied.

In this game, in order to share the virtual space between the HMD set 1000 and the plurality of user terminals 100, game progress information is live distributed to the plurality of user terminals 100 at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the view image of the view area defined by the virtual camera 620B corresponding to the user terminal 100 is displayed on the touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100 that is viewing the game. In addition, parameter images representing the physical strength of the avatar object 610, the number of usable magazines, the number of remaining bullets of the gun, the number of remaining enemy objects 671, etc. are displayed in a superimposed manner in the upper right and upper left rows of the field of view image. . This visual field image can also be expressed as a game screen.

As described above, the game progress information includes motion data capturing the player's actions, audio data of the voice uttered by the player, and operation data indicating the content of input operations on the controller 540. These data include information for specifying the position, posture, direction, etc. of the avatar object 610, information specifying the position, posture, direction, etc. of the enemy object 671, and other objects (for example, obstacle objects 672, 673). This is information that specifies the location, etc. The processor 10 specifies the position, posture, orientation, etc. of each object by analyzing (rendering) the game progress information.

The game information 132 includes data on various objects such as an avatar object 610, an enemy object 671, and obstacle objects 672 and 673. The processor 10 uses the data and the analysis result of the game progress information to update the position, posture, orientation, etc. of each object. As a result, the game progresses, and each object in the virtual space 600B moves in the same way as each object in the virtual space 600A. Specifically, in the virtual space 600B, each object including the avatar object 610 operates based on the game progress information regardless of whether or not the user operates the user terminal 100.

On the touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100, as an example, UI images 701 and 702 are displayed superimposed on the view image. The UI image 701 is a UI image that accepts an operation for displaying on the touch screen 15 a UI image 711 that accepts an item insertion operation from the user 3 to support the avatar object 610 . The UI image 702 accepts an operation for displaying on the touch screen 15 a UI image (described later) that accepts an operation for inputting and transmitting a comment for the avatar object 610 (in other words, the player 4) from the user 3. This is a UI image. The operation accepted by the UI images 701 and 702 may be, for example, an operation of tapping the UI images 701 and 702.

When the UI image 701 is tapped, the UI image 711 is displayed superimposed on the view image. The UI images 711 include, for example, a UI image 711A with a magazine icon drawn, a UI image 711B with a first aid kit icon, a UI image 711C with a triangular cone icon, and a UI with a barricade icon. Contains image 711D. The item insertion operation corresponds to, for example, an operation of tapping any UI image.

As an example, when the UI image 711A is tapped, the number of remaining bullets of the gun used by the avatar object 610 increases. When the UI image 711B is tapped, the physical strength of the avatar object 610 is restored. When the UI images 711C and 711D are tapped, obstacle objects 672 and 673 that obstruct the movement of the enemy object 671 are placed in the virtual space. One of the obstacle objects 672 and 673 may obstruct movement of the enemy object 671 more than the other.

The processor 10 transmits item insertion information indicating that an item insertion operation has been performed to the server 200. The item insertion information includes at least information for specifying the type of item specified by the item insertion operation. The item insertion information may include other information regarding the item, such as information indicating the position where the item is placed. The item insertion information is transmitted to other user terminals 100 and HMD set 1000 via server 200.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the view image displayed on the user terminal 100. Specifically, it is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of the present game, and is a diagram for explaining communication between the player and the user terminal 100 during game play.

In the example of FIG. 12A, the user terminal 100 causes the avatar object 610 to make an utterance 691. Specifically, the user terminal 100 causes the avatar object 610 to perform the utterance 691 according to the audio data included in the game progress information. The content of the utterance 691 is ``I don't have any bullets!'' uttered by the player 4. That is, the content of the utterance 691 is to inform each user that the magazine is now 0 and the number of bullets loaded in the gun is 1, so that the user is likely to lose the means to attack the enemy object 671.

Although speech bubbles are used in FIG. 12A to visually indicate the speech of the avatar object 610, in reality, the speech is output from the speaker of the user terminal 100. In addition to the audio output, a speech bubble shown in FIG. 12(A) (that is, a speech bubble containing text of the audio content) may be displayed in the view image. This also applies to utterance 692, which will be described later.

Upon receiving a tap operation on the UI image 702, the user terminal 100 displays UI images 705 and 706 (message UI) superimposed on the view image, as shown in FIG. 12(B). The UI image 705 is a UI image that displays a comment for the avatar object 610 (in other words, the player). The UI image 706 is a UI image that accepts a comment sending operation from the user 3 in order to send the input comment.

For example, when the user terminal 100 receives a tap operation on the UI image 705, the user terminal 100 displays a UI image imitating a keyboard (not shown, hereinafter simply referred to as "keyboard") on the touch screen 15. The user terminal 100 causes the UI image 705 to display text according to the user's input operation on the keyboard. In the example of FIG. 12B, the text “I will send you a magazine” is displayed on the UI image 705.

For example, when the user terminal 100 receives a tap operation on the UI image 706 after inputting text, it sends comment information including information indicating the input content (text content) and information indicating the user to the server 200. do. Comment information is transmitted to other user terminals 100 and HMD set 1000 via server 200.

The UI image 703A is a UI image that shows the user name of the user who sent the comment, and the UI image 704A is a UI image that shows the content of the comment that the user sent. In the example of FIG. 12(B), the user whose user name is "BBBBB" uses his user terminal 100 to send comment information with the content "Dangerous!" is displayed. UI image 703A and UI image 704A are displayed on touch screens 15 of all user terminals 100 participating in this game and on monitor 51 of HMD 500. Note that the UI images 703A and 704A may be one UI image. That is, one UI image may include the user name and the content of the comment.

In the example of FIG. 12C, the user with the user name "AAAAAA" who is the user of the user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 703B and 704B are displayed. The UI image 703B includes the user name "AAAA", and the UI image 704B includes the comment "I'll send you a magazine!" that was input in the example of FIG. 12(B).

In the example of FIG. 12C, the user "AAAA" further inputs a tap operation on the UI image 701, displays the UI image 711 on the touch screen 15, and inputs a tap operation on the UI image 711A. This is a rear view image 611. In other words, as a result of the item insertion information indicating the magazine being sent from the user terminal 100 of the user "AAAAAA" to the other user terminals 100 and the HMD set 1000, the user terminal 100 and the HMD set 1000 receive the production object 674 (described later). are placed in the virtual space 600. As an example, the user terminal 100 and the HMD set 1000 perform processing related to the performance object 674 and activate the effect of the item object after the elapsed time indicated by the item insertion information has elapsed.

In the example of FIG. 12(D), the number of magazines increases from 0 to 1 by executing the process of activating the effect of the item object. As a result, the player utters "Thank you!" to the user "AAAA", and the audio data of the utterance is transmitted to each user terminal 100. As a result, each user terminal 100 outputs the voice "Thank you!" as the utterance 692 of the avatar object 610.

As described above, in this game, communication between the user and the avatar object 610 is realized by outputting the voice uttered by the avatar object 610 based on the player's utterance and inputting comments by each user.

(Game progress processing on game play terminal 300)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of game progress processing executed by the game play terminal 300.

In step S31, the processor 30, as the game progression unit 315, advances the game based on the game program 331 and the player's movements. In step S32, the processor 30 generates game progress information and distributes it to the user terminal 100. Specifically, the processor 30 transmits the generated game progress information to each user terminal 100 via the server 200.

In step S33, when the processor 30 receives the item insertion information (YES in S33), in step S34, it arranges the item object in the virtual space 600A based on the item insertion information. As an example, the processor 30 places the rendering object 674 in the virtual space 600A before placing the item object (see FIG. 11C). The effect object 674 may be, for example, an object imitating a present box. For example, the processor 30 may execute the effect regarding the effect object 674 after the elapsed time indicated by the item input information has elapsed. The effect may be, for example, an animation in which the lid of a present box opens. After executing the animation, the processor 30 executes a process of activating the effect of the item object. For example, in the example of FIG. 11(D), an obstacle object 673 is placed.

After executing the animation, the processor 30 may place the item object corresponding to the tapped UI image in the virtual space 600A. For example, when a tap operation is performed on the UI image 711A, the processor 30 places a magazine object representing a magazine in the virtual space 600A after executing the animation. Further, when a tap operation is performed on the UI image 711B, the processor 30 executes the animation and then arranges a first aid kit object representing a first aid kit in the virtual space 600A. For example, when the avatar object 610 moves to the position of the magazine object or the first aid kit object, the processor 30 may perform a process of activating the effect of the magazine object or the first aid kit object.

The processor 30 continues and repeats the processing of steps S31 to S34 until the game ends. When the game ends, for example, when the player inputs a predetermined input operation to end the game (YES in step S35), the process shown in FIG. 13 ends.

(Game progress processing on user terminal 100)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of game progress processing executed by the user terminal 100.

In step S41, the processor 10 receives game progress information. In step S42, the processor 10, as the game progress unit 115, advances the game based on the game progress information.

In step S43, when the processor 10 accepts the item insertion operation by the user 3 (YES in step S43), in step S44, the processor 10 consumes virtual currency and places the performance object 674 in the virtual space 600B. Here, the virtual currency is purchased (charged for the game) when the user 3 performs a predetermined operation on the processor 10 before or during participation in the game. Alternatively, it may be given to the user 3 when a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may be something that requires participation in this game, such as clearing a quest in this game, or may be something that does not require participation in this game, such as answering a questionnaire. The amount of virtual currency (amount of virtual currency owned) is stored in the user terminal 100 as game information 132, for example.

In step S45, the processor 10 transmits item input information to the server 200. The item insertion information is transmitted to the game play terminal 300 via the server 200.

The processor 10 arranges the item object in the virtual space 600A after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after placing the presentation object 674. In the example of FIG. 11, an obstacle object 673 is placed. That is, when the user 3 inputs a tap operation on the UI image 711C, a predetermined amount of virtual currency is consumed and the obstacle object 673 is placed.

The processor 10 continues and repeats the processing of steps S41 to S45 until the game ends. When the game ends, for example, when the player performs a predetermined input operation to end the game, or when the user 3 performs a predetermined input operation to leave the game midway through (step S46: YES) ), the process shown in FIG. 14 ends.

(Game progress processing in server 200)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of game progress processing executed by the server 200. As shown in FIG.

In step S51, the processor 20 receives game progress information from the game play terminal 300. In step S52, the processor 20, as the log generation unit 212, updates a game progress log (hereinafter referred to as a play log). Note that the play log is generated by the processor 20, for example, when initial arrangement information is received from the game play terminal 300.

In step S53, the processor 20 transmits the received game progress information to each user terminal 100.

In step S54, when item input information is received from any user terminal 100 (YES in step S54), the processor 20 updates the play log as the log generation unit 212 in step S55. In step S56, the processor 20 transmits the received item insertion information to the game play terminal 300.

The processor 20 continues and repeats the processing of steps S51 to S56 until the game ends. When the game ends, for example, when information indicating that the game ends is received from the game play terminal 300 (YES at step S57), in step S58, the processor 20, as the list generation unit 213, extracts the play log from the play log. A list of users who have participated in the game (user list 234) is generated. The processor 20 stores the generated user list 234 in the server 200.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of the user list 234. The "user" column stores information (for example, user name) indicating each user who participated in the game. The "tag" column stores information (tags) generated based on the support provided by each user to the player. In the example of FIG. 16, among the tags stored in the "tag" column, those without square brackets are information automatically generated by the processor 20, and those with square brackets are information generated by the game operator. The information was entered manually.

In the example of FIG. 16, the user "AAAAA" is associated with a magazine, 10F, a boss, and information "win against the boss by giving the magazine as a gift." This indicates that, for example, in the boss battle on the stage 10F, the user "AAAA" inserted a magazine, and the avatar object 610 defeated the boss with the bullets from the inserted magazine.

In addition, the user "BBBBB" is associated with the information "first aid kit, 3F, Zako, and "Recovery on the verge of game over." "BBBBB" threw in a first aid kit, and as a result, the avatar object 610's physical strength recovered just before it became 0 (game over).

Further, the user "CCCCC" is associated with information such as barricade, 5F, Zako, and "stopping two zombies with barricade." This means that, for example, in the battle with the most powerful enemies on the stage 5F, the user "CCCCC" threw a barricade (obstacle object 672 in FIG. 11), and as a result, succeeded in stopping the two most powerful enemies. It shows.

In the example of FIG. 16, one support provided is associated with the user name of each user 3, but the user name of user 3 who provided support multiple times has tags for each of the multiple times of support. Can be matched. In the user list 234, the respective tags are preferably distinguished. Thereby, after the game ends, the player who refers to the user list 421 using the distribution terminal 400 can accurately understand the contents of each support.

<Distribution of movement instruction data>
(Distribution processing at distribution terminal 400)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of distribution processing executed by the distribution terminal 400. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on distribution terminal 400. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another specific example of the screen displayed on the distribution terminal.

In step S61, the processor 40, as the operation receiving unit 413, receives a first operation for displaying a list of users who have participated in the game (user list 234). A download screen 721 shown in FIG. 18A is a screen for downloading the user list 234 from the server 200 and displaying it on the display unit 452. The download screen 721 is, for example, a screen that is displayed immediately after an operation to start an application that executes the distribution process shown in FIG. 17 is input to the distribution terminal 400.

Download screen 721 includes UI images 722 and 723, as an example. The UI image 722 accepts the operation for downloading the user list 234, that is, the first operation described above. The first operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping the UI image 722. The UI image 723 accepts an operation to terminate the application. The operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping the UI image 723.

Upon receiving the tap operation on the UI image 722, the processor 40, as the communication control unit 411, acquires (receives) the user list 234 from the server 200 in step S62. In step S63, the processor 40, as the display control unit 412, causes the display unit 452 to display the user list 234. Specifically, the processor 40 causes the display unit 452 to display a user list screen generated based on the user list 234. The user list screen may be, for example, a user list screen 731 shown in FIG. 18(B). The user list screen 731 consists of record images corresponding to each record in the user list 234. In the example of FIG. 18(B), record images 732A to 732C are described as record images, but the number of record images is not limited to three. In the example of FIG. 18(B), if the number of records in the user list 234 is greater than 3 (that is, the number of users who have participated in the game is greater than 3), the player may perform an operation such as scrolling the screen (for example, By inputting a drag operation or a flick operation on the touch screen 45, other record images can be displayed on the display section 452.

As an example, record images 732A-732C each include user names 733A-733C, tag information 734A-734C, and icons 735A-735C. Hereinafter, if there is no need to distinguish record images 732A to 732C, user names 733A to 733C, tag information 734A to 734C, and icons 735A to 735C, they will be referred to as "record image 732," "user name 733," and ", respectively. "tag information 734" and "icon 735".

The user name 733 is information stored in the "user" column in the user list 234 and indicating each user who participated in the game. The tag information 734 is information indicating a tag associated with each piece of information indicating each user who participated in the game in the user list 234. For example, the record image 732A includes "AAAAA" as the user name 733A. Therefore, the record image 732A includes, as tag information 734A, "Magazine, 10F, Boss, "Win the Boss by Presenting the Magazine", which is associated with "AAAAA" in the user list 234. The icon 735 is, for example, an image set in advance by the user.

Note that the processor 40 may store the received user list in the distribution terminal 400 (user list 421 in FIG. 7). The download screen 721 may include a UI image (not shown) for displaying the user list 421 on the display unit 452. In this example, when the UI image is tapped, the processor 40 does not download the user list 234, reads the user list 421, generates a user list screen from the user list 421, and displays it on the display unit 452. .

In step S64, the processor 40, as the operation accepting unit 413, accepts a second operation for selecting any of the users included in the user list screen 731. The second operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping any of the record images 732 on the user list screen 731. In the example of FIG. 18(B), the player inputs a tap operation to the record image 732A. That is, the player has selected the user "AAAA" as the user to whom the action instruction data will be distributed.

Upon receiving the tap operation on the record image 732, the processor 40, as the display control unit 412, causes the display unit 452 to display the motion list 422 in step S65. Specifically, the processor 40 causes the display unit 452 to display a motion list screen generated based on the motion list 422. The motion list screen may be a motion list screen 741 shown in FIG. 19, for example. The motion list screen 741 consists of record images corresponding to each record in the motion list 422. In the example of FIG. 19, record images 742A to 742C are described as record images, but the number of record images is not limited to three. In the example of FIG. 19, if the number of records in the motion list 422 is greater than 4, the player can scroll other records by inputting an operation to scroll the screen (for example, a drag operation or a flick operation) on the touch screen 45. The image can be displayed on the display section 452.

As an example, record images 742A-742C each include motion names 743A-743C, motion images 744A-744C, and UI images 745A-745C. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish record images 742A to 742C, motion names 743A to 743C, motion images 744A to 744C, and UI images 745A to 745C, they will be referred to as "record image 7432", "motion name 743", and "motion name 743", respectively. They are described as "motion image 744" and "UI image 745."

The motion name 743 is information that identifies a motion stored in the motion list 422. The motion image 744 is an image generated from motion data associated with each motion name in the motion list 422. For example, the processor 40 includes an image of the avatar object 610 taking the first posture in each motion data in the record image 742 as a motion image 744. The motion image 744 may be a UI image that accepts a predetermined operation by the player (for example, a tap operation on the motion image 744). When the processor 40 receives the predetermined operation, it may play a motion video in which the avatar object 610 moves based on the motion data. The processor 40 may automatically redisplay the motion list screen 741 when the motion video ends.

Note that, instead of the motion image 744, the record image 742 may include, for example, a UI image including the text "motion playback".

In step S66, the processor 40, as the operation receiving unit 413, receives a third operation for selecting a motion. The third operation may be, for example, a tap operation on the UI image 745. That is, the UI image 745 accepts an operation to select motion data corresponding to each record image 742. Upon receiving the third operation, the processor 40, as the motion specifying unit 415, specifies the motion data selected by the player.

In step S67, the processor 40, as the display control unit 412 and the audio reception unit 414, receives audio input from the player while playing back a motion video in which the avatar object 610 operates based on the selected motion data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a specific example of voice input by the player 4. As shown in FIG. 20, player 4 is inputting speech sound 820A while playing motion video 810A. This uttered voice 820A is addressed to user 3 (hereinafter referred to as user 3A) whose user name is “AAAAAA”. That is, in the example of FIG. 20, the player 4 selects the user 3A (first user) and creates motion instruction data addressed to the user 3A in step S64. Note that it is assumed that the user terminal 100 used by the user 3A is the user terminal 100A.

Since the uttered voice 820A is addressed to the user 3A, the uttered voice is based on the content of the support provided by the user 3A to the avatar object 610 (in other words, the player 4). Specifically, the user 3A inserts a magazine into the boss battle on the stage 10F, and the avatar object 610 defeats the boss with the bullets from the inserted magazine. Therefore, the uttered voice 820A has the content, "Thank you for giving me the magazine during the boss battle! The timing was perfect! Thanks to Mr. AAAAAA, I was able to clear the game!" In this way, it is preferable that the uttered voice includes the content of the support provided by the user 3 in the game and gratitude to the user 3.

In one aspect, the player 4 creates speech content addressed to the user 3 before starting voice input, that is, before inputting the third operation to the distribution terminal 400. In another aspect, the content of the utterance addressed to the user 3 may be automatically generated by the processor 40. Further, the processor 40 may display the tag associated with the user 3 selected by the second operation in a superimposed manner on the motion video 810A.

Processor 40 converts the received voice into voice data. In step S68, the processor 40, as the motion instruction data generation unit 416, generates motion instruction data including the audio data and motion data of the selected motion.

In step S69, the processor 40, as the communication control unit 411, distributes the generated motion instruction data to the user terminal 100 (first computer) of the selected user 3 (user 3A in the example of FIG. 20). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing yet another specific example of the screen displayed on the distribution terminal 400. After executing step S68, the processor 40, as the display control unit 412, causes the display unit 452 to display the distribution screen. The distribution screen may be, for example, the distribution screen 751 shown in FIG. 21(A). Distribution screen 751 includes a UI image 752 and motion image 753A. Further, the distribution screen 751 may include information indicating the user to whom the operation instruction data is to be distributed, as shown in FIG. 21(A).

The UI image 752 accepts an operation for distributing motion instruction data to the selected user 3. The operation may be, for example, a tap operation on the UI image 752. The motion image 753A is a UI image that accepts an operation for reproducing a video based on the generated motion instruction data, that is, a video based on the motion instruction data generated for the user 3A. The operation may be, for example, a tap operation on the motion image 753A. Note that the UI image that accepts the operation for playing back the generated video is not limited to the motion image 753A. For example, it may be a UI image that includes the text "Play Video". The processor 40 may automatically redisplay the distribution screen 751 when the video ends.

It is preferable that the distribution screen 751 further includes a UI image that accepts an operation to return to accepting voice input. The operation may be, for example, a tap operation on the UI image. By including the UI image in the distribution screen 751, the player 4 can perform voice input again when voice input fails, for example, when the player 4 makes a mistake in what is being uttered. Note that the UI image may be a UI image that accepts an operation to return to selection of motion data.

Upon receiving the tap operation on the UI image 752, the processor 40 transmits operation instruction data to the server 200 along with information indicating the user 3A. The server 200 specifies the user terminal 100 to which the movement instruction data is to be transmitted based on the information indicating the user 3A, and transmits the movement instruction data to the specified user terminal 100 (namely, the user terminal 100A).

When the transmission of the operation instruction data is completed, the processor 40 may display, for example, a distribution completion screen 761 shown in FIG. 21(B) on the display unit 452. Distribution completion screen 761 includes UI images 762 and 763, as an example. Further, the distribution completion screen 761 may include text indicating that the transmission of the operation instruction data has been completed, as shown in FIG. 21(B).

The UI image 762 accepts an operation to start creating action instruction data addressed to another user 3. The operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping the UI image 762. When the processor 40 receives the tap operation, the processor 40 causes the display unit 452 to display the user list screen again. That is, if the tap operation is accepted, the distribution process returns to step S63. At this time, the processor 40 may generate a user list screen based on the user list 421 stored in the distribution terminal 400 and display it on the display unit 452. The UI image 763 accepts an operation to terminate the application. The operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping the UI image 763. When the operation is accepted, the distribution process ends.

In the example described with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, as shown in FIG. , is transmitted only to the user terminal 100A.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another specific example of voice input by the player 4. As shown in FIG. 22, player 4 is inputting speech sound 820B while playing motion video 810B. This uttered voice 820B is a uttered voice addressed to user 3 (hereinafter referred to as user 3B) whose user name is “BBBBB”. That is, in the example of FIG. 22, the player 4 inputs a tap operation on the record image 732B corresponding to the user 3B in step S64, and creates motion instruction data addressed to the user 3B. Note that it is assumed that the user terminal 100 used by the user 3B is the user terminal 100B.

Since the uttered voice 820B is addressed to the user 3B, the uttered voice is based on the content of the support provided by the user 3B to the avatar object 610 (in other words, the player 4). Specifically, user 3B is on the verge of losing the physical strength of avatar object 610 to 0 (game over) when user "BBBBB" throws in a first aid kit during the battle with the worst enemy on stage 3F. My physical strength is recovering. Therefore, the uttered voice 820B has the content, ``Thanks to the first aid kit BBBBB gave me, I didn't have to get game over on the third floor. Thank you so much!''

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing still another specific example of the screen displayed on the distribution terminal 400. The distribution screen 751 shown in FIG. 23(A) includes a UI image 752 and a motion image 753B. When the motion image 753B receives a tap operation, it plays a moving image based on the motion instruction data generated for the user 3B.

Upon receiving the tap operation on the UI image 752, the processor 40 transmits operation instruction data to the server 200 along with information indicating the user 3B. The server 200 identifies the user terminal 100 to which the motion instruction data is to be transmitted based on the information indicating the user 3B, and transmits the motion instruction data to the identified user terminal 100 (ie, the user terminal 100B).

In the example described with reference to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. , is transmitted only to the user terminal 100B.

As described above, the content of the audio based on the audio data included in the action instruction data is based on the content of the support provided by the user 3 to the player 4 in participating in the most recent game. Since the content of the support is different for each user 3, the content of the voice is different for each user 3. That is, after the game ends, motion instruction data including voices with different contents is transmitted to at least some of the user terminals 100 of the users 3 who participated in the game.

Furthermore, the motion of the avatar object 610 in the example of FIG. 22 is different from the motion in the example of FIG. 20. That is, when generating the motion instruction data addressed to the user 3B, the player 4 selects different motion data from when generating the motion instruction data addressed to the user 3A. Specifically, in step S66, the player 4 inputs a tap operation on the UI image 745B to select motion data corresponding to the record image 742B. In this way, the player 4 can vary the motion data included in the action instruction data for each user 3.

Then, motion instruction data for each user 3, including audio data with different contents for each user 3 and motion data selected for each user 3, is transmitted only to the user terminal 100 of each user 3. In other words, unique operation instruction data for each user terminal 100 is transmitted to each of the user terminals 100 of the selected users 3.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an overview of transmission of game progress information from game play terminal 300 to user terminal 100. While the operation instruction data for video playback on the user terminal 100 is unique for each user terminal 100, as shown in FIG. The game progress information transmitted to the user terminals 100 is common to each user terminal 100. That is, the action instruction data included in the game progress information is also common among each user terminal 100. In this way, it can be said that the motion instruction data for playing a video and the motion instruction data for advancing the game are different data in terms of the sameness between user terminals 100 and the destination of transmission.

(Video playback processing in user terminal 100)
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of video playback processing executed by the user terminal 100.

In step S71, the processor 10, as the video playback unit 117, receives the motion instruction data. In step S72, the processor 10, as the video playback unit 117, notifies the user 3 of receiving the motion instruction data. For example, the processor 10 displays a notification image on the display section 152, plays a notification sound from a speaker (not shown), lights up a lighting section (not shown) including an LED (light-emitting diode), or the like. The reception of the operation instruction data is notified to the user 3 by at least one of blinking.

In step S73, the processor 10, as the operation receiving unit 111, receives a first playback operation for playing back the video. The first reproduction operation may be, for example, an operation of tapping a notification image. In step S74, the processor 10, as the video playback unit 117, renders the motion instruction data and plays the video. For example, the processor 10 may start an application for playing the present game and play the video, or may start an application for video playback that is separate from the application and play the video. good. Hereinafter, this video will be referred to as a "thank you video."

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a specific example of playing a thank you video. Specifically, it is a diagram showing an example of reproduction of a thank you video on the user terminal 100 of the user 3A. In the thank you video 910A played on the user terminal 100, the avatar object 610 is uttering a voice 920A while performing a certain motion. In other words, the processor 10 outputs the audio 920A from a speaker (not shown) while reproducing the thank you video 910A including the avatar object 610 that performs a certain motion.

The motion in the thank you video 910A is based on the motion data selected by the player 4 in generating action instruction data addressed to the user 3A, and the audio 920A is based on the uttered audio input by the player 4 in generating the action instruction data. It is based on audio data generated from 820A. In other words, the voice 920A is a voice that includes the details of the support provided by the user 3A in the game and gratitude for the support. In this way, by inputting the first playback operation, the user 3A can view a thank you video in which the avatar object 610 speaks about the support provided by the user in the game and gratitude for the support.

As an example, the user terminal 100 may display at least one UI image on the touch screen 15 after the thank you video 910A finishes playing. The UI image may be, for example, a UI image that accepts an operation to play the thank you video 910A again, a UI image that accepts an operation to transition to another screen, or a UI image that accepts an operation to transition to another screen, or a UI image that accepts an operation to play the thank you video 910A again. It may also be a UI image that accepts an operation to end the process.

Further, as an example, the user terminal 100 may display at least one UI image on the touch screen 15 while the thank you video 910A is being played. The UI image may be a plurality of UI images that respectively accept operations such as temporarily stopping or ending the currently playing thank you video 910A, or changing the scene to be played.

Note that these UI images displayed while the thank you video 910A is being played and after the thank you video 910A is being played do not include a UI image for responding to the avatar object 610. That is, the thank you video 910A according to this embodiment is not provided with a means for responding to the avatar object 610.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another specific example of playing a thank you video. Specifically, it is a diagram showing an example of reproduction of a thank you video on the user terminal 100 of the user 3B. In the thank you video 910B played on the user terminal 100, the avatar object 610 is uttering a voice 920B while performing a certain motion. In other words, the processor 10 outputs the audio 920B from a speaker (not shown) while reproducing the thank you video 910B that includes the avatar object 610 that performs a certain motion.

The motion in the thank you video 910B is based on the motion data selected by the player 4 in generating the action instruction data addressed to the user 3B, and the audio 920B is based on the uttered audio input by the player 4 in generating the action instruction data. It is based on audio data generated from 820B. Therefore, the motion performed by avatar object 610 in the example of FIG. 27 is different from the motion in the example of FIG. 26. Furthermore, the voice 920B is a voice that includes the details of the support provided by the user 3B in the game and gratitude for the support. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 27, the content of audio 920B is different from the content of audio 920A in the example of FIG. 26.

In this way, the thank you video that is received by at least some of the user terminals 100 of the users 3 who participated in the game after the game ends is a video in which the utterance content of the avatar object 610 differs for each user 3.

Note that the processor 10 may display a UI image 930 that includes content encouraging participation in the next game, superimposed on the video 910. The UI image 930 may be distributed together with the action instruction data, or may be stored by the user terminal 100 as the game information 132.

This game includes a live distribution game and a location information game. In a live distribution game, for example, the user's degree of intimacy with a character appearing as the avatar object 610 is updated by inserting a coin item. In addition, in a location-based game, for example, by selecting a character as a buddy to play with, obtaining items, or playing an episode (story) of the character, the user's intimacy with the character is updated. Ru. Control details in a live streaming game, such as the display mode of the comment UI, the display mode of the UI image 711 for inserting coin items, and the episodes that can be released, depend on the familiarity with the characters appearing in the live streaming game. It changes accordingly. Below, specific contents of the live distribution game and the location information game will be explained.

(Live streaming game)
In the live distribution game, the same virtual space 600B as the virtual space 600A defined by the game play terminal 300 is defined by the user terminal (viewing terminal) 100. The game play terminal 300 distributes game progress information including movement instruction data that can identify the movements of the performer and the voice uttered by the performer to the plurality of user terminals 100 via the server 200. The memory 11 of the user terminal 100 stores in advance multiple types of object data for displaying objects including the avatar object 610. When an operation is performed to start a live broadcast game, the user terminal 100 identifies motion instruction data from the game progress information distributed from the game play terminal 300 via the server 200, and analyzes the motion instruction data ( (rendering) to identify the type, position, orientation, etc. of the object. Furthermore, based on the analysis result, the user terminal 100 uses the object data stored in the memory 11 to arrange objects including the avatar object 610 in the virtual space 600B.

On the monitor 51 of the HMD 500, a view image 650 of the view area 640A is displayed according to the position, orientation, and inclination of the virtual camera 620A arranged in the virtual space 600A. Furthermore, the touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100 displays a visual field image 660 of the visual field 640B according to the position, orientation, and tilt of the virtual camera 620B arranged in the virtual space 600B. A speaker (not shown) included in the user terminal 100 outputs the voice uttered by the performer based on the action instruction data specified from the game progress information.

The live-distributed content includes multiple types of content with different characters displayed as avatar objects 610. The character displayed as the avatar object 610 is associated with decorative objects such as clothing and accessories depending on the type of character. Furthermore, these characters may also appear in location information games. A user's degree of intimacy with a character is updated according to the frequency with which the user interacts with the character in a live distribution game or a location information game.

FIG. 28(A) is a diagram showing an example of the intimacy management table TBL1 in which the user's intimacy level is updated for each character. According to FIG. 28(A), the familiarity of the user "Soregashi" with the character AA is 25, the familiarity of the user with the character BB is 12, and the familiarity of the user with the character CC is 35. be. The intimacy management table TBL1 is stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated as needed.

FIG. 28A shows an example in which one of the characters AA, BB, and CC appears in the virtual space 600B as an avatar object 610 in a live distribution game. The server 200 transmits the degree of intimacy of the user with respect to the character appearing as the avatar object 610 in the live distribution game to the user terminal 100 that has started viewing the live distribution. The transmission is performed not only when viewing starts, but also when the intimacy level is updated while viewing the live broadcast.

The user terminal 100 stores the degree of familiarity transmitted from the server 200 in the memory 11, and changes the control content during viewing of the live broadcast according to the degree of familiarity. The controls to be changed include controls for the user to interact with the avatar object 610. This makes it possible to change the diversity of interactions depending on the degree of familiarity with the avatar object 610, and as described below, improves the taste when viewing live broadcasts and, if the degree of familiarity is high, In this way, it is possible to increase the appeal of the avatar object 610 and improve the feeling of superiority over other users.

Specifically, the control for performing the interaction includes control for displaying the content of the interaction on the touch screen 15 of the user terminal (own viewing terminal) 100 of the user, and control for displaying the content of the interaction on the touch screen 15 of the user's own user terminal (own viewing terminal). It includes control for displaying on the monitor 51 of the HMD 500 connected to the (other viewing terminal) 300 and the touch screen 15 of the user terminal (other viewing terminal) 100 of another user. Further, the control for performing the interaction is to display a comment UI based on comment information sent by the user to the avatar object 610, that is, the performer, on the monitor 51 of the HMD 500 and the touch screen 15 of each of the plurality of user terminals 100. The user selects a tipping item from among a plurality of tipping items (yells), and the object user of the selected tipping item (yell) transfers the tipping item (yell) to the virtual space 600A of the game play terminal 300 and the plurality of users. The virtual space 600B of each terminal 100 includes control for inputting data into the virtual space 600B.

(Control for displaying comment UI)
FIG. 28(B) is a diagram showing an example of a comment display mode management table TBL2 in which the font size of the user name and message, the color of the user name, and the background color of the comment UI are registered as display modes. The comment display mode management table TBL2 is stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated as needed.

According to FIG. 28(B), at least one of the font size, the user name color, and the background color differs depending on the familiarity value. Specifically, the familiarity range of 0 to 29 is associated with 6pt as the font size, green as the user name color, and gray as the background color. A range of intimacy levels from 30 to 49 is associated with 8 pt as the font size, yellow as the user name color, and green as the background color. The range of familiarity from 50 to 79 is associated with 12pt as the font size, light blue as the color of the user name, and blue as the background color. Font size, user name color, and background color are associated with each other in stages even in a range where the intimacy level is 80 or higher.

A view image 660 capturing the avatar object 610 placed in the virtual space 600B is displayed on the touch screen 15 as shown in FIG. 30, for example, depending on the position, tilt, etc. of the virtual camera 620B. In FIG. 30, character AA appears in virtual space 600B as avatar object 610.

Referring to FIG. 30(A), when the user taps UI image 702, user terminal 100 displays UI image 705 for displaying a comment on avatar object 610, and UI image 706 for accepting a comment sending operation. is displayed superimposed on the visual field image 660. When the user taps the UI image 705, the user terminal 100 displays a UI image (not shown) that resembles a keyboard on the touch screen 15, and displays a message on the UI image 705 according to the user's input operation on the keyboard. do. In the example of FIG. 30(A), the message “How are you?” is displayed on the UI image 705.

The user performs a comment sending operation by tapping the UI image 706 after inputting the message. At this time, the user terminal 100 transmits comment information including the familiarity level, user name, and message stored in the memory 11 to the server 200.

The server 200 generates a comment that includes the familiarity, user name, and message included in the comment information, and the font size, user name color, and background color specified from the comment display mode management table TBL2 based on the familiarity. Generate UI information. Additionally, the server 200 transmits the comment UI information to the game play terminal 300 and all user terminals 100 that are viewing the live broadcast. Based on the comment UI information, each of the game play terminal 300 and the user terminal 100 displays a comment UI consisting of a heart mark with a familiarity value, a user name, and a message in the field of view image 650 or 660 in a predetermined range (for example, the lower right range).

For this reason, for example, if the familiarity level of the user "Soregashi" with the character AA is 25, and the user inputs the message "How are you?", a heart mark with a 25 drawn on it, A comment UI consisting of the user name "Soregashi" and the message "How are you?" is displayed in a predetermined range of each of the view images 650 and 660 (see FIG. 30(B)). At this time, the font size of the user name and message is set to 6pt, the color of the user name is green, and the background color of the comment UI is gray.

Note that the currently displayed comment UI is scrolled upward when the next comment UI is displayed. The comment UI that has reached the top of the predetermined range is hidden when the next comment UI is displayed. In addition, when a tipped coin item is inserted in a predetermined range, a comment UI containing the message "XX cheer has been sent" (XX is the name of the tipped coin item) is displayed in a predetermined display format. Ru.

According to this embodiment, the display mode of the comment UI differs depending on the degree of familiarity of the user with the avatar object 610, as shown in FIG. 28(B). Thereby, it becomes possible to motivate the user to increase the degree of familiarity and to enhance the interaction with the avatar object 610.

(Control to reflect tipped coin items)
FIG. 28(C) is a diagram showing an example of the tipping item management table TBL3 in which tipping items that the user can insert and the amount of coins consumed by inserting the tipping items (i.e., the billing amount) are registered. . The tipped coin item management table TBL3 is stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated at any time.

According to FIG. 28(C), the coin items that can be thrown in differ depending on the degree of familiarity. That is, the tipped coin item is unlocked according to the degree of familiarity. Specifically, mirror balls, grass, and colonies are associated with the range where the degree of familiarity is 0 or more as throwable coin items. In the range where the intimacy level is 30 or more, UFOs, face panels, and claw foot bathtubs are associated as coin items that can be thrown. A heart-shaped cushion, a star-shaped cushion, and a daruma are associated with the range where the intimacy level is 50 or more as coin items that can be thrown. Even in the range of intimacy of 80 or higher, various tipping items are associated in stages.

In other words, the plurality of tipping items registered in the tipping item management table TBL3 include one or more tipping items (items associated with a range of 0 or more) that can be inserted regardless of familiarity, and one or more tipping items (items associated with a range of 0 or more), and It includes one or more tipping items (items associated with a range of 30 or more, a range of 50 or more, etc.) that can be thrown in if the value is equal to or greater than the value. Therefore, the types of coin items that can be thrown in increase as the intimacy value increases.

For example, if the user's intimacy with the character appearing as the avatar object 610 is 25, the user can only input mirror balls, grass, and colonies. When the degree of familiarity with the character reaches 30, in addition to mirror balls, grass, and colonies, UFOs, face panels, and claw foot bathtubs can be added. When the degree of familiarity with the character reaches 50, in addition to mirror balls, grass, colonies, UFOs, face panels, and claw foot bathtubs, heart-shaped cushions, star-shaped cushions, and daruma can be added.

300 coins are associated with each tipping item of the mirror ball, UFO, and heart-shaped cushion as the amount of coins consumed when the tipping item is inserted. 500 coins are associated with each of the coin tipping items, such as the grass, the face panel, and the star-shaped cushion, as the amount of coins consumed when the tipping item is inserted. 700 coins are associated with each tipping item of the colony, claw foot bathtub, and daruma as the amount of coins consumed when throwing in the tipping item.

In other words, the one or more tipping items that can be thrown in regardless of familiarity include the first billing item (for example, grass) that can be thrown in when the first billing amount (for example, 500 coins) is consumed, and the second billing item (for example, grass). At least one coin item that can be inserted when the familiarity is at least a predetermined value includes at least a second charged item (for example, a colony) that can be inserted when the charged amount (for example, 700 coins) is consumed. , a third charging item that can be inserted as the first charging amount is consumed (for example, a face-showing panel), and a fourth charging item that can be inserted as the second charging amount is consumed (for example, a claw foot bathtub). Contains at least

The server 200 transmits the tipped coin item management table TBL3 to the user terminal 100 that has started viewing the live broadcast. When the UI image 701 shown in FIG. 30A is tapped while the field of view image 660 shown in FIG. The UI image 711 including the UI image 711 is displayed superimposed on the visual field image 660 in different modes depending on the degree of familiarity stored in the memory 11 (see FIGS. 30(C) and 30(D)).

Specifically, the user terminal 100 identifies, from among the plurality of tipping items registered in the tipping item management table TBL3, tipping coin items that can be thrown in and tipping coin items that cannot be thrown in, according to the degree of familiarity. In addition, the user terminal 100 displays a UI image in which a coin item that can be inserted is depicted in a manner that allows identification of the coin being inserted, that is, in a normal mode, while displaying a UI image in which a coin item that cannot be inserted is depicted. The UI image is displayed in a manner that makes it possible to specify that input is not possible, that is, in a grayed-out manner.

For example, if the user's intimacy level with the character AA is 25, as shown in FIG. The image is displayed in a grayed out manner. By displaying the UI image of a tipped coin item that cannot be inserted in a grayed-out mode, it is possible to motivate the user to increase familiarity and make it possible to throw in the tipped coin item.

An image of a bag is superimposed on the grayed-out UI image. In addition, the minimum intimacy level required to allow the tipping item to be inserted and a heart mark are drawn on the bag. Specifically, when the UI images 711D to 711I are displayed in a grayed-out mode, an image of a bag with a 30 and a heart mark drawn on it is superimposed on the UI images 711D to 711F, and , 50 and a heart mark are superimposed on the image. Thereby, it is possible to clearly tell the user how much the degree of familiarity must be increased to be able to throw coin items.

When the user's intimacy level with the character AA reaches 30, the display mode of the UI images 711D to 711F depicting a UFO, face panel, and claw foot bathtub changes from a gray-out mode to a normal mode, as shown in FIG. 30(D). do. In addition, the familiarity value and heart mark that were displayed in the gray-out mode are drawn on the UI image that has changed from the gray-out mode to the normal mode.

Note that the UI image 711 is scrolled in the vertical direction in response to a swipe operation in the vertical direction. A UI image depicting tipping items associated with a range of intimacy ranks of 80 or higher can be displayed on the touch screen 15 by the swipe operation.

The user terminal 100 accepts a tap operation on a UI image displayed in a normal mode, but does not accept a tap operation on a UI image displayed in a grayed-out mode. Therefore, a user whose familiarity with the character AA is in the range of 0 to 29 performs an item insertion operation by tapping any of the UI images 711A to 711C, and a user with a familiarity with the character AA in the range of 30 to 49 performs an item insertion operation by tapping any of the UI images 711A to 711C. The user performs an item insertion operation by tapping any of the UI images 711A to 711F, and the user whose familiarity with the character AA is in the range of 50 to 79 taps any of the UI images 711A to 711I. Tap to perform the item insertion operation.

In the memory 21 of the server 200, coins obtained by a plurality of users through billing processing are stored for each user name. The user terminal 100 transmits item insertion information including the name of the tipping item that is the object of the item insertion operation and the user name to the game play terminal 300 via the server 200.

The server 200 specifies the amount of coins associated with the tipping item with the name included in the item insertion information from the tipping item management table TBL3, and determines the amount of coins from among the coins stored in the memory 21. Consume from the coins associated with the user name included in the item input information.

The game play terminal 300 specifies the name of the tipped item from the item insertion information, reflects the object corresponding to the name in the virtual space 600A, and transmits game progress information including movement instruction data corresponding to the object to a plurality of It is distributed to the user terminal 100. As a result, the object of the tipped coin item is reflected in the virtual space 600B defined by each of the plurality of user terminals 100. For example, when the UI image 711A shown in FIG. 30(C) is tapped, 300 coins are consumed and an object imitating a mirror ball is placed in each of the virtual spaces 600A and 600B.

During live distribution, the server 200 specifies a benefit that is more advantageous as the amount of coins consumed by the user performing an item insertion operation, that is, the higher the billing amount, and provides the benefit to the user. In addition, the server 200 determines that even if a coin item with the same charge amount is inserted, a coin item that can be inserted because the intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is inputted, the intimacy level is higher. The degree of advantage of the given benefit is increased compared to the case where a tipping item that can be inserted regardless of the situation is inserted. Therefore, when comparing the case where grass (first charge item) is inserted and the case where face display panel (third charge item) is inserted, the benefits granted by inserting grass are more advantageous for face display panel than for grass. is larger. As a result, the degree of advantage of the privilege increases as the charge amount increases, and also increases as the degree of familiarity increases.

FIG. 28(D) is a diagram showing an example of the familiarity point management table TBL4 in which the familiarity points given to each of a plurality of users are registered for each character. Intimacy points are points for increasing intimacy, and each time the intimacy points reach a predetermined value (for example, 100), the intimacy increases by one. According to FIG. 28(D), the intimacy points of the user "Soregashi" for the character AA are 60, the intimacy points of the user "Soregashi" for the character BB are 30, and the intimacy points of the user "Soregashi" for the character CC are 60. Soregashi's intimacy points are 45. The intimacy point management table TBL4 is stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated as needed.

The above benefits include, for example, intimacy points for the character appearing as the avatar object 610 in the live distribution. The degree of advantage of the benefit is reflected in the familiarity points. For example, the familiarity points awarded by inserting a face-showing panel are 1.5 times the familiarity points awarded by inserting grass.

The server 200 identifies the intimacy points of the user who performed the item insertion operation from the familiarity point management table TBL4 among the intimacy points associated with the characters appearing in the live broadcast, and determines the intimacy points given to the user. The intimacy points included in the privilege are added to the intimacy points specified from the intimacy point management table TBL4. When the familiarity points after addition reach a predetermined value, the server 200 subtracts the predetermined value from the familiarity points. In addition, the server 200 identifies the intimacy level of the user who performed the item insertion operation from the familiarity level management table TBL1 among the familiarity levels associated with the characters appearing in the live broadcast, and increases the familiarity level by one. At the same time, the increased intimacy level is transmitted to the user terminal 100 of the user.

Note that the server 200 lowers the degree of familiarity registered in the degree of intimacy management table TBL1 for users who have not logged in to either the live distribution game or the location information game for a predetermined period of time (for example, 24 hours), and , transmits the decreased intimacy level to the user terminal 100 of the user. For example, when the user "Sore-gashi" does not play any game for a predetermined time, the user "Sore-gashi" for the characters AA, BB, and CC among the familiarity registered in the intimacy management table TBL1. The degree of intimacy is decreased one by one, and the degree of intimacy after the decrease is transmitted to the user terminal 100 of "that's the last".

According to the present embodiment, the degree of intimacy of the user with respect to the character appearing as the avatar object 610 increases as the frequency with which the user interacts with the character increases, and decreases as the frequency decreases. Further, the frequency includes the user's actions toward the avatar object 610 while viewing the live broadcast (specifically, logging into the live broadcast game, and inserting coin items during the live broadcast). This makes it possible to motivate the user to actively act toward the avatar object 610 while viewing the live broadcast to increase the degree of familiarity with the character of the avatar object 610.

(Episode released)
FIG. 29(A) is a diagram showing an example of the episode management table TBL5 in which releasable episodes are registered for each character. The episode management table TBL5 and the episode video data are each stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated as needed. Note that an episode is a special production that depicts events in the character's private life, memorable experiences, etc. in order to increase the user's attachment to the character, and may also be called a story.

According to FIG. 29(A), a plurality of types of episodes that can be released (browsed or viewed) while viewing the live distribution are provided for each character. The plurality of types of episodes include episodes that can be released regardless of the intimacy level, and episodes that can be released when the intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. For example, the character AA is provided with episodes A11-A14, A21-24, A31-34, and so on. Among these, episodes A11 to A14 are episodes that can be released regardless of intimacy level, episodes A21 to A24 are episodes that can be released when intimacy level is 30 or higher, and episodes A31 to A34 are episodes that can be released regardless of intimacy level. This is an episode that becomes unlockable when the intimacy level reaches 50 or higher.

Therefore, the types of episodes that can be released increase as the intimacy value increases. Thereby, it is possible to motivate the user to increase his/her familiarity with the character appearing as the avatar object 610 in the live distribution and to be able to release more episodes.

(location information game)
A location information game is a game different from a live distribution game, and can be played when the live distribution is not being viewed. In location-based games, users can obtain items or play releasable episodes depending on their actions.

When an operation to start a location information game is performed, the user terminal 100 uses its own location registration system (not shown) to collect information on the current location of the user terminal 100 (for example, address information, latitude and longitude information, etc.). ) to obtain. In addition, the user terminal 100 acquires map data of a specific area centered on the current location from another service providing device, and obtains location information of the search range assigned to the specific area and information on the map data of the specific area located in the specific area. The location information and portal ID of the character portal being accessed are acquired from the server 200.

Here, the character portal is a portal for playing episodes of any of the characters AA, BB, and CC, and the portal ID is the type of character and episode type associated with the character portal. This is an ID that allows identification. Further, the arrangement of character portals is fixed or updated by the server 200 at any time.

In a location information game, a user can act together with a buddy character. At the start of the location information game, the user may select any of the characters AA, BB, and CC appearing in the live broadcast to play the location information game.

FIG. 29(B) is a diagram showing an example of the buddy candidate management table TBL6 in which the buddy candidates are registered. The buddy candidate management table TBL6 is stored in the memory 21 of the server 200 and updated as needed. Furthermore, the server 200 transmits the buddy candidate management table TBL6 to the user terminal 100 that has started the location information game. The transmitted buddy candidate management table TBL6 is stored in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100.

According to FIG. 29(B), characters AA, BB, and CC are buddy candidates. The user can select a buddy not only at the start of the location information game but also at any time after the start. However, when the character selected as a buddy starts live streaming, that character is removed from the buddy list. At this time, the user acts alone or selects another character from the buddy candidate management table TBL6.

When a buddy is selected, the user terminal 100 transmits buddy selection information including the type of character to be the buddy to the server 200. The server 200 identifies the degree of intimacy of the user with respect to the type of character included in the buddy selection information from the intimacy management table TBL1, and transmits the degree of intimacy to the user terminal 100 that is the source of the buddy selection information. Furthermore, the server 200 transmits the episode management table TBL5 to the user terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the batty selection information. The intimacy and episode management table TBL5 transmitted from the server 200 is stored in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100.

Referring to FIG. 31(A), user terminal 100 displays a map image based on map data acquired from another service providing device on touch screen 15, and also displays a circle 1040 representing the outer edge of the search range and "strategy". "Start" icon 1042 is displayed superimposed on the map image. If a buddy exists, the user terminal 100 displays a buddy notification image 1041 for notifying the buddy, superimposed on the map image. Note that an icon 1044 for starting live distribution is also displayed on the map image. When the icon 1044 is tapped during live distribution, the user terminal 100 ends the position information game and starts the live distribution game.

The user terminal 100 identifies releasable episodes from the episode management table TBL5 according to the degree of intimacy stored in the memory 11. Further, the user terminal 100 identifies the character portal with which the releasable episode is associated from among the character portals arranged within the search range, and displays the portal UI 1043 in a superimposed manner at the position of the character portal. . The character associated with the specified character portal is drawn on the portal UI 1043. For example, if character AA is a buddy, a character portal with which character AA and episode A21 are associated is located within the search range, and the user's intimacy level with character AA is 35, character AA is The drawn portal UI 1043 is displayed at the position of the character portal.

The user terminal 100 accepts a tap operation on the "start strategy" icon 1042 when the current position of the user terminal 100 is within the search range. When the tap operation is performed, the user can move within the search range and obtain the item. Here, the items that can be obtained include local items (region-limited tipping items) that can be thrown in during live streaming, coins, and the like.

When acquiring an item, the user terminal 100 transmits item acquisition information including the type of the item, the user name, and the type of character acting as a buddy to the server 200. The server 200 identifies the intimacy points of the user of the user terminal 100 among the intimacy points associated with the buddy character from the intimacy point management table TBL4 based on the item acquisition information. Further, the server 200 specifies the rarity of the specified item based on the item acquisition information, and adds familiarity points according to the rarity to the intimacy points specified from the familiarity point management table TBL4.

When the familiarity points after addition reach a predetermined value, the server 200 subtracts the predetermined value from the familiarity points. In addition, the server 200 specifies, from the intimacy management table TBL1, the intimacy corresponding to the user name included in the item acquisition information among the intimacy associated with the character specified based on the item acquisition information, and Increase density by 1. Furthermore, the server 200 transmits the increased intimacy level to the user terminal 100 that is the source of the item acquisition information. The intimacy level stored in the memory of the user terminal 100 is updated based on the intimacy level transmitted from the server 200.

Further, when the user moves near the character portal corresponding to the portal UI 1043 and taps the portal UI 1043, the user terminal 100 displays a start screen for starting episode playback on the touch screen 15 (see FIG. 31). See B). On the start screen, a playback start icon 1045 depicting a character associated with the character portal and the title 1046 of the episode associated with the character portal are displayed superimposed on the map image. . According to FIG. 31(B), the character AA is drawn on the playback start icon 1045, and "A12. What I Really Want to Do" is displayed as a title 1046 below the playback start icon 1045.

Furthermore, when the portal UI 1043 is tapped, the user terminal 100 identifies the type of episode associated with the corresponding character portal based on the portal ID, and sends episode playback information including the type of episode to the server 200. do. The server 200 transmits the video data of the episode specified based on the episode reproduction information to the user terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the episode reproduction information. The transmitted video data is stored in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100.

When the user taps the playback start icon 1045, the user terminal 100 plays back the video data stored in the memory 11 (see FIG. 31(C)). According to FIG. 31(C), an episode is played in which the user rides a bicycle to the location where the character portal is located. When the playback ends, the user terminal 100 transmits playback end information including the type of character drawn in the playback start icon 1045 (that is, the character acting as a buddy) and the user name to the server 200. do. The server 200 identifies the familiarity level corresponding to the user name included in the playback end information from the familiarity level associated with the character specified based on the playback end information from the familiarity management table TBL1, and stores the familiarity level. The intimacy level is increased by one, and the increased familiarity level is transmitted to the user terminal 100 that is the source of the playback end information. The intimacy level stored in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100 is updated based on the intimacy level transmitted from the server 200.

In this way, the frequency of involvement with a character who is acting together as a buddy depends on the user's actions toward the character in the location-based game (logging into the location-based game, actions to obtain items, actions to play episodes). include. The degree of familiarity of the user with the character increases as the frequency with which the user interacts with the character increases, and the value decreases as the frequency decreases.

Even during the execution of the location information game, the user terminal 100 identifies releasable episodes from the episode management table TBL5 according to the user's degree of intimacy with the character acting as a buddy. When the user's intimacy with the character AA reaches 30 by obtaining an item or playing an episode, episodes A21, A22, A23, and A24 are identified as episodes that can be released. Thereby, it is possible to improve the enjoyment of the position information game.

(About operation)
FIG. 32(A) is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of intimacy-related control processing in the user terminal 100. Further, FIG. 32(B) is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of intimacy update processing in the server 200. The intimacy update process is executed for each user.

Referring to FIG. 32(A), in step S81, it is determined whether a live distribution game is being played based on predetermined game parameters. When it is determined that the live distribution game is being played, the process advances to step S82, and when it is not determined that the live distribution game is being played, the process advances to step S83.

In step S82, a display mode of interaction is specified according to the user's degree of intimacy with the character appearing as the avatar object 610. Specifically, based on comment UI information sent from the server 200 in response to a comment sending operation by the user or another user, the display mode of the comment UI (user name and message font) is size, user name color, comment UI background color). Further, the display mode (normal mode or grayscale mode) of the UI image 711 displayed in response to a tap operation on the UI image 701 is specified depending on the intimacy level of the user who performed the tap operation. When the process of step S82 is completed, the process advances to step S83.

In step S83, it is determined whether or not a position information game is being played based on predetermined game parameters. When it is determined that the position information game is being played, the process advances to step S84, and when it is not determined that the position information game is being played, the process returns. In step S84, releasable episodes are specified from the episode management table TBL5 according to the user's degree of intimacy with the character acting together as a buddy. When the processing in step S84 is completed, the process returns.

Referring to FIG. 32(B), in step S91, it is determined whether the user to be processed (target user) has satisfied the intimacy update condition in the live distribution game. The update condition is established when the target user's intimacy points for the character of the avatar object 610 among the characters registered in the intimacy point management table TBL4 reach a predetermined value. Therefore, the determination is made based on the familiarity points.

When it is determined that the update condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S92, and when it is determined that the update condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S93. In step S92, the degree of intimacy of the target user with respect to the character of the avatar object 610 is specified from the degree of intimacy management table TBL1, and the degree of intimacy is updated. Specifically, the intimacy level is increased by one. When the process of step S92 is completed, the process advances to step S93.

In step S93, it is determined whether the target user has satisfied the intimacy update condition in the location information game. The update condition is established when the target user's intimacy points for a character who is acting together as a buddy among the characters registered in the intimacy point management table TBL4 reach a predetermined value. Further, the update condition is established when the reproduction of the episode ends. Therefore, the determination is made based on the familiarity points and the playback status of the episode.

When it is determined that the update condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S94, and when it is determined that the update condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S95. In step S94, the degree of intimacy of the target user with respect to the character acting together as a buddy is specified from the degree of intimacy management table TBL1, and the degree of intimacy is updated as established. Specifically, the intimacy level is increased by one. When the process of step S94 is completed, the process advances to step S95.

In step S95, it is determined whether the intimacy reduction condition is satisfied for the target user. The reduction condition is established when the target user continues to play neither the live distribution game nor the location information game for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the determination is made based on the time during which the target user has not played any games. When it is determined that the lowering condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S96, and when it is determined that the lowering condition is not satisfied, the process returns. In step S96, the degree of intimacy of the target user with respect to the characters AA, BB, and CC registered in the degree of intimacy management table TBL1 is decreased one by one. When the process of step S96 is completed, the process returns.

<Effects of this embodiment>
According to this embodiment, the game progress information live distributed from the server 200 includes movement instruction data for displaying the avatar object 610 that moves in real time according to the movements of the performer. An avatar object 610 is displayed on the touch screen 15 based on the motion instruction data. The control details during viewing of the live broadcast are changed depending on the degree of intimacy of the user with the character appearing as the avatar object 610. Thereby, the degree of familiarity of the user with the character is reflected in the content of the live distribution, and it is possible to increase the liking of the live distribution game based on the degree of familiarity.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the controls subject to change include controls for the user to interact with the avatar object 610. This makes it possible to change the diversity of interactions depending on the degree of familiarity.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control for performing an interaction includes a control for displaying the content of the interaction on one's own viewing terminal, and a control for displaying the content of the interaction on another viewing terminal. including. As a result, the content of the interaction changes depending on the degree of familiarity, both on the user's own viewing terminal and on other viewing terminals. As a result, it becomes possible to motivate the user to increase intimacy and engage in more active interaction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control for performing the interaction includes the control for displaying the comment sent to the avatar object 610, and the display mode of the comment UI for displaying the sent comment is as follows. It changes depending on the user's degree of intimacy with the character appearing as the avatar object 610. This enables control such as displaying the comment UI more conspicuously as the degree of familiarity increases.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control for performing the interaction includes control for selecting a tipping item from among a plurality of tipping items and inserting the selected tipping item. Further, the plurality of coin tipping items include one or more first tipping items that can be selected regardless of familiarity, and one or more second tipping items that can be selected when the familiarity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Thereby, it is possible to motivate the user to increase familiarity and diversify the selectable tipping items.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the one or more first tipping items include a first charging item that can be inserted when the first charging amount is consumed, and a first charging item that can be inserted when the second charging amount is consumed. The one or more second tipping items include a third billing item that can be inserted as the first billing amount is consumed, and a third billing item that can be inserted as the second billing amount is consumed. It includes at least 4 chargeable items. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the operator loses an opportunity to earn profits due to a user whose familiarity is less than a predetermined value not being able to insert coin items.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the degree of advantage of the benefit provided by inserting a charge item is greater for the third charge item than for the first charge item. As a result, it is possible to motivate the user to increase familiarity and make it possible to invest in chargeable items with a high degree of advantageous benefits.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, episodes that can be released while viewing a live broadcast include episodes that can be released regardless of intimacy level, and episodes that can be released when intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. . Therefore, it is possible to motivate the user to increase the degree of familiarity to a predetermined value or higher.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the degree of familiarity has a higher value as the frequency of involvement of the user with the avatar object 610 is higher, and a lower value as the frequency is lower. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the user to increase the frequency of involvement with the avatar object 610 and increase the degree of intimacy.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the frequency of involvement with the avatar object 610 includes the user's actions toward the avatar object 610 (insertion of coin items) while viewing the live broadcast. Thereby, the user can be prompted to take action regarding the avatar object 610.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a position information game in which the same character as the avatar object 610 appears can be executed when the live broadcast is not being viewed. The frequency of engagement with the character includes the user's actions toward the character in the location information game (actions to obtain items, actions to play episodes). As a result, in a location-based game, viewers are encouraged to watch the live broadcast by increasing their familiarity with the character or obtaining items, and by consuming the item during the live broadcast, they are encouraged to play the location-based game by increasing their familiarity with the character. You can play a game cycle of prompting.

<Modified example>
Modifications of the embodiment described above are listed below.

(1) In the above embodiment, the avatar object 610 appears in the live distribution. Here, during the live broadcast, a game such as a rock-paper-scissors game in which you play rock-paper-scissors with the avatar object 610 or a battle game in which you play against enemy objects together with the avatar object 610 may be provided so that the user can play the game. good. Further, the game includes a first game that can be played regardless of the degree of intimacy of the user with respect to the character appearing as the avatar object 610, and a second game that can be played when the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. It may be something. This makes it possible to motivate the user to play more games by increasing intimacy. Further, while the game provided during live distribution can be played regardless of the familiarity level, the difficulty level of the game may be made to vary depending on the familiarity level. That is, the difficulty level may be lowered as the intimacy level increases.

(2) According to the above embodiment, among the character portals placed in the search range displayed on the map image in the location information game, the target is a character portal associated with a character who is acting together as a buddy. Portal UI 1043 is displayed as . However, the portal UI 1043 may be displayed for character portals to which each of the characters AA, BB, and CC are associated. In this case, in response to an episode being played by a tap operation on the portal UI 1043, the user's degree of intimacy with the character associated with the character portal corresponding to the portal UI 1043 may be increased by one.

(3) According to the above embodiment, familiarity points are given to the user as a benefit by throwing in coin items during live streaming. However, the benefits may include ticket points for obtaining various tickets. In this case, the various tickets include a live ticket that allows you to watch a special live broadcast, a dress-up ticket that allows you to change the costume of the avatar object 610, a ticket that allows you to insert coin items that cannot be inserted for a limited time, It may also be an item ticket that allows you to obtain a highly rare item in a location information game. Further, the various tickets may be made available as items in the location information game.

(4) In the above embodiment, all tipping items can be inserted as the charge amount is consumed, but some tipping items may be able to be inserted without charging. For example, mirror balls, UFOs, and heart-shaped cushions may be input without charge.

(5) In the above embodiment, when the familiarity point reaches a predetermined value on the user terminal 100 during game play or when the playback of an episode ends, act as a character or buddy appearing in the live broadcast. The user's intimacy level with the character they share increases by one. Here, when the degree of familiarity increases, a predetermined effect may be performed on the user terminal 100. This can make the game more enjoyable.

(6) In the above embodiment, one character appears as the avatar object 610 in the live distribution game. However, a plurality of characters may appear in the live distribution game as avatar objects 610. In this case, the intimacy points given by inserting the tipping item may be added to the intimacy points associated with each of the plurality of characters in the intimacy point management table TBL4. In addition, the value of the intimacy points added to each may be the same value as the value of the familiarity points given, or may be the value obtained by dividing the value of the intimacy points by the number of characters. .

(7) According to the above embodiment, the avatar object 610 appears in the virtual space 600B of the user terminal 100 in the live distribution game. Here, the facial expression of the avatar object 610 may vary depending on the user's degree of intimacy with the character serving as the avatar object 610. That is, the facial expression of the avatar object 610 may be made softer as the intimacy level increases.

(8) In the above embodiment, a position information game is provided as a game different from live distribution and in which the same character as the avatar object 610 can appear. However, in addition to the position information game, a puzzle game, a role-playing game, an action game, etc. in which the same character as the avatar object 610 appears may be provided.

(9) In the above embodiment, the image of the virtual space 600B is displayed on the user terminal 100 using a real-time rendering method. However, the image of the virtual space 600B may be displayed on the user terminal 100 using a video distribution method that distributes video data composed of multiple frames of images. In this case, the display mode of the comment UI, etc. may be made different for each user terminal 100 by distributing video data according to the degree of familiarity.

(10) In the embodiment described above, the comment display mode management table TBL2 and the episode management table TBL5 are stored only in the memory 21 of the server 200. However, the tables TBL2 and TBL5 may also be stored in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100.

(11) In the above embodiment, the intimacy level increases by one when the intimacy point reaches 100 or when the playback of the episode ends. However, the degree of familiarity may be updated by the performer's operation, and furthermore, the amount of increase due to the update may be specified by the performer.

(12) In the above embodiment, the type of character that appears as the avatar object 610 in live distribution and the type of character that acts together as a buddy in the location information game are fixed to characters AA, BB, and CC. . However, the types of characters may be increased, replaced, or decreased at any time.

<Additional notes>
The matters described in each of the above embodiments are additionally described below.

(Additional note 1):
According to a certain aspect of an embodiment shown in the present disclosure, there is provided a program executed in a viewing terminal (user terminal 100) including a processor, a memory, and a display unit, the program being executed in a viewing terminal (user terminal 100) including a processor, a memory, and a display unit, the program being executed in a viewing terminal (user terminal 100) that allows the processor to a step of receiving live-distributed display data that is data for displaying a character (avatar object 610) that moves; and a step of displaying the character on the display unit based on the display data; A step of changing control contents during live distribution according to a user's degree of intimacy with the character is executed.

(Additional note 2):
In (Additional Note 1), the control to be changed by the changing step includes control for the user to interact with the character.

(Additional note 3):
In (Appendix 2), the control for performing the interaction includes control for displaying the content of the interaction on the user's own viewing terminal, and control for displaying the content of the interaction on the user's own viewing terminal (game play terminal 300, other user's viewing terminal). control for displaying on the user terminal 100).

(Additional note 4):
In (Appendix 2) or (Appendix 3), the control for performing the interaction includes a control for displaying the comment sent to the performer, and the changing step includes displaying the comment sent to the performer. The display mode of the UI is changed depending on the degree of familiarity.

(Additional note 5):
In any one of (Appendix 2) to (Appendix 4), the control for performing the interaction includes control for selecting an item from a plurality of items and inserting the selected item, and The items include one or more first items that can be selected regardless of the degree of intimacy, and one or more second items that can be selected when the degree of intimacy is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

(Appendix 6):
In (Appendix 5), the one or more first items include a first charging item that can be inserted when the first charging amount is consumed, and a second charging item that can be inserted when the second charging amount is consumed. The one or more second items include a third charging item that can be inserted as the first charging amount is consumed, and a third charging item that can be inserted as the second charging amount is consumed. and a fourth billing item.

(Appendix 7):
In (Additional Note 6), the degree of advantage of the benefit provided by inserting a charge item is greater for the third charge item than for the first charge item.

(Appendix 8):
In any of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 7), a story (episode) can be released during live streaming, and the episode is a first story that can be released regardless of the intimacy level, and a story (episode) that can be released regardless of the intimacy level, and a first story that can be released regardless of the intimacy level. and a second story that can be released by being equal to or greater than the value.

(Appendix 9):
In any of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 8), it is possible to play a game during live streaming, and the game includes a first game that can be played regardless of the intimacy level, and a first game that can be played regardless of the intimacy level. and a second game that becomes playable due to certain conditions.

(Appendix 10):
In any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 9), the degree of intimacy has a higher value as the frequency with which the user interacts with the character is higher, and a lower value as the frequency is lower.

(Appendix 11):
In (Additional Note 10), the frequency of involvement with the character includes the user's actions toward the character during live distribution.

(Appendix 11):
In (Appendix 10) or (Appendix 11), performing the step of enabling the processor to execute another game (location information game) that is a game different from live distribution and in which the same character as the character may appear. and the frequency of engagement with the character includes actions of the user with respect to the same character in the other games.

(Appendix 13):
In any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 12), the step of changing includes the step of specifying the user's degree of intimacy with the character.

(Appendix 14):
According to an aspect of an embodiment shown in the present disclosure, there is provided a method executed by a viewing terminal including a processor, a memory, and a display unit for displaying a character that moves in real time according to the movements of a performer. a step of receiving display data to be live-distributed; a step of displaying the character on the display section based on the display data; and a step of changing the control content in the step.

(Appendix 15):
According to an aspect of an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, there is provided a viewing terminal including a processor, a memory, and a display unit, the viewing terminal having data for displaying a character that moves in real time according to the movements of a performer. Display data to be distributed is received, the character is displayed on the display section based on the display data, and control contents during live distribution are changed according to a user's familiarity with the character.

[Example of implementation using software]
The control blocks (especially the control units 110, 210, 310, 410) of the user terminal 100, the server 200, the game play terminal 300 (HMD set 1000), and the distribution terminal 400 are based on logic formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by a circuit (hardware) or by software.

In the latter case, the user terminal 100, the server 200, the game play terminal 300 (HMD set 1000), and the distribution terminal 400 are equipped with a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function. This computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the above program. In the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, in addition to "non-temporary tangible media" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), tapes, disks, cards, semiconductor memories, programmable logic circuits, etc. can be used. Further, the computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program. Furthermore, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast waves, etc.) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

1 System, 2 Network, 3, 3A, 3B User (first user), 4 Player (performer), 10, 20, 30, 40 Processor, 11, 21, 31, 41 Memory, 12, 22, 32, 42 Storage , 13, 23, 33, 43 communication IF, 14, 24, 34, 44 input/output IF, 15, 45 touch screen, 17 camera, 18 ranging sensor, 51 monitor, 52 gaze sensor, 53 1st camera, 54 1st 2 camera, 55 microphone, 56 speaker, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C user terminal (computer, first computer, first information processing device), 110, 210, 310, 410 control unit (first control unit, second control unit) 111,311,413 Operation reception unit, 112,312,412 Display control unit, 113,313 UI control unit, 114,314 Animation generation unit, 115,315 Game progress unit, 116,316 Virtual space control unit, 117 Video playback section, 120, 220, 320, 420 Storage section (first storage section, second storage section), 131, 231, 331 Game program (program, first program), 132, 232, 332 Game information, 133 , 233, 333 user information, 151, 451 input unit, 152, 452 display unit (display), 200 server, 211 communication intermediary unit, 212 log generation unit, 213 list generation unit, 234, 421 user list, 300 game play terminal (external device, second external device), 317 reaction processing unit, 400 distribution terminal (external, first external device, computer, second information processing device), 411 communication control unit, 414 audio reception unit, 415 motion identification unit, 416 Operation instruction data generation unit, 422 Motion list, 423 Distribution program (program, second program), 540, 1020, 1021 Controller, 500 HMD, 510 HMD sensor, 520 Motion sensor, 530 Display, 600A, 600B Virtual space, 610 Avatar object (character), 620A, 620B Virtual camera, 631, 632, 633, 634 Object, 640A, 640B View area, 650, 660 View image, 671 Enemy object, 672, 673 Obstacle object, 674 Performance object, 691, 692 Utterance, 701,702,703A,70B,704A,704B,705,706,711,711A,711B,711C,711D,722,723,745,745A,745B,745C,752,762,763,930,2011 , 2022, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2037, 2038, 2051, 2063, 2072, 2073, 2075 UI image (message UI, UI), 721 Download screen, 731 User list screen (list), 732, 732A, 732B , 732C, 742, 742A, 742B, 742C Record image, 733, 733A, 733B, 733C User name, 734, 734A, 734B, 734C Tag information, 735, 735A, 735B, 735C Icon, 741 Motion list screen (choices), 743,743A,743B,743C Motion name, 744,744A,744B,744C,753 Motion image, 751 Distribution screen, 761 Distribution completion screen, 810A,810B Motion video, 820A,820B Speech audio, 910A,910B Video, 920A, 920B audio, 1000 HMD set, 1010 object, 1030 storage medium

Claims (8)

computer,
a receiving means for receiving live-distributed display data that is data for displaying a character moving in real time;
Display means for displaying the character on a display unit based on the display data;
Display mode changing means for changing the display mode of an image used by the user to interact with the character during live distribution according to the user's degree of familiarity with the character ;
Execution means that enables execution of another part that is different from the live part and in which the same character as the character may appear;
function as
The degree of intimacy has a higher value as the frequency with which the user interacts with the character is higher, and a lower value as the frequency is lower,
The program, wherein the frequency of engagement with the character includes an action of the user with respect to the same character in the other part. 2. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the display mode changing means changes a display mode of a UI for displaying comments sent to the performer depending on the familiarity level. computer,
It further functions as an input means for accepting the selection of an item from among a plurality of items and inputting the selected item,
The display mode changing means displays one or more first items that are selectable regardless of the degree of familiarity as the plurality of items, and displays one or more first items that become selectable when the degree of familiarity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The program according to claim 1 or 2 , which displays two items. The one or more first items include at least a first charging item that can be inserted as the first charging amount is consumed, and a second charging item that can be inserted as the second charging amount is consumed. , the one or more second items include a third charging item that can be inserted as the first charging amount is consumed, and a fourth charging item that can be inserted as the second charging amount is consumed; The program according to claim 3, comprising at least the following. 5. The program according to claim 4 , wherein the degree of advantage of the benefit provided by inserting a charge item is greater for the third charge item than for the first charge item. You can play games during live streaming,
Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the game includes a first game that can be played regardless of the intimacy level, and a second game that can be played when the intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The program described in. 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein said display mode changing means includes specifying a user's degree of familiarity with said character. computer,
a receiving means for receiving live-distributed display data that is data for displaying a character moving in real time;
Display means for displaying the character on a display unit based on the display data;
A changing means for changing control contents during live distribution according to a user's degree of intimacy with the character;
Execution means that enables execution of another part that is different from the live part and in which the same character as the character may appear;
function as
The degree of intimacy has a higher value as the frequency with which the user interacts with the character is higher, and a lower value as the frequency is lower,
The frequency of involvement with the character includes the user's behavior toward the same character in the other part,
During the live broadcast , video data registered in association with the character can be viewed ,
The video data includes first video data that can be viewed regardless of the intimacy level, and second video data that can be viewed when the intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

Images