System and method for replaying video game streams

• US 10,232,272 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2015
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Marr, Michael D., Kaplan, Keith S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clarke, Jr., Robert T
• Application Number:
  US14/919,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20170113143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/355 Performing operations on behalf of clients with restricted processing capabilities, e.g. servers transform changing game scene into an encoded video stream for transmitting to a mobile phone or a thin client
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/497 Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions

Abstract

A system and method is provided that generates a game log that specifies game events during gameplay to enable efficient distribution of video game playback, facilitates the annotation of gameplay through content from users and others, and generates a video game stream that includes the game log and content. The system facilitates the efficient sharing of video game playback, as well as annotations from users and others. For example, e-sportscasters may use the system to broadcast video game playback with their commentary and/or graphical overlays. Video game players may use the system to share video game playback efficiently with other users. The system may also facilitate the sharing of loadout conditions and micro-transactions relevant to video game playback.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing at least one of a loadout object and a hotspot based on video game streams for playback of gameplay of video games, the method being implemented in a computer having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the computer to perform the method, the method comprising:

generating, by the computer, a video game stream that includes a game log and a metadata track, wherein the game log specifies at least a first event that occurred during the gameplay of a video game and information that indicates at least a first time at which the first event occurred during the gameplay, and the metadata track includes annotation content relating to the gameplay;

causing, by the computer, the video game stream to be transmitted via a network to an end user device;

providing, by the computer, to the end user device, one or both of;

(i) a loadout object which specifies a state of the gameplay for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein providing the loadout object further comprises determining, by the computer, a portion of the gameplay that will be of interest to a user by using one or more inference objects created by the computer, wherein the inference object is based on one or more inference factors indicating the user'"'"'s interest, and generating, by the computer, the loadout object based on the determined portion of the gameplay; and

(ii) a hotspot for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein the hotspot further comprises a virtual object associated with the hotspot;

receiving, by the computer, from the end user device, a selection of at least one of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream;

causing, by the computer, at least one of a playable recreation of the state of the gameplay, or the virtual object to be provided responsive to the selection; and

debiting, by the computer, an account of the user associated with the end user device based on an amount of value relating to the playable recreation or the virtual object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving from the end user device the selection of at least one of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream comprises receiving the selection of the loadout object, the method further comprising:

identifying, by the computer, the virtual object used during the gameplay based on the loadout object, wherein the amount of value relating to the playable recreation comprises a value of the virtual object; and

providing, by the computer, the virtual object in the playable recreation, wherein the virtual object is usable during the gameplay of the playable recreation, and wherein the account of the user is debited based on providing the virtual item.

3. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

providing, by the computer, at least one of the loadout object or the hotspot in one or more metadata tracks of the video game stream.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the account comprises a virtual currency account or a real currency account of the user.

5. A system for providing at least one of a loadout object and a hotspot based on video game streams for playback of gameplay of video games, the system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, cause the one or more physical processors to;

generate a video game stream that includes a game log and a metadata track, wherein the game log specifies at least a first event that occurred during gameplay of a video game and information that indicates at least a first time in which the first event occurred during the gameplay, and the metadata track includes annotation content relating to the gameplay;

transmit the video game stream via a network to an end user device;

provide at least one of i) a loadout object which specifies a state of gameplay for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein the physical processor determines a portion of the gameplay that will be of interest to a user by using one or more inference objects created by the computer, wherein the one or more inference objects are based on one or more inference factors indicating the user'"'"'s interest and generates the loadout object based on the determined portion of the gameplay or ii) a hotspot for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein the physical processor further identifies a virtual object associated with the hotspot;

receive, from the end user device, a selection of at least one of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream;

provide at least one of a playable recreation of the state of the gameplay or the virtual object responsive to the selection; and

debit an account of the user associated with the end user device based on an amount of value relating to the playable recreation or the virtual object.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein to receive from the end user device at least one of the selection of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream, the one or more physical processors are further configured to:

identify the virtual object used during the gameplay based on the loadout object, wherein the value relating to the playable recreation comprises a value of the virtual object; and

provide the virtual object in the playable recreation, wherein the virtual object is usable during gameplay of the playable recreation.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more physical processors are further caused to provide the loadout object for selection in association with the video game stream.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein to receive from the end user device at least one of the selection of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream, the one or more physical processors are further configured to:

identify the virtual object associated with the hotspot, wherein the value relating to the playable recreation comprises a value of the virtual object; and

provide the virtual object in the playable recreation, wherein the virtual object is usable during gameplay of the playable recreation.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more physical processors are further caused to:

provide at least one of the loadout object or the hotspot in one or more metadata tracks of the video game stream.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the account comprises a virtual currency account or a real currency account of the user.

11. A computer program product for providing at least one of a loadout object or a hotspot based on video game streams for playback of gameplay of video games, the computer program product comprising:

one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage devices;

program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable tangible storage devices that, when executed, cause a computer to;

generate a video game stream that includes a game log and a metadata track, wherein the game log specifies at least a first event that occurred during gameplay of a video game and information that indicates at least a first time in which the first event occurred during the gameplay, and the metadata track includes annotation content relating to the gameplay;

transmit the video game stream via a network to an end user device;

provide at least one of i) a loadout object which specifies a state of the gameplay of the video game for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein the physical processor determines a portion of the gameplay that will be of interest to a user by using one or more inference objects created by the computer, wherein the one or more inference objects are based on one or more inference factors indicating the user'"'"'s interest and generates the loadout object based on the portion of the gameplay or ii) a hotspot for selection in association with the video game stream, wherein the physical processor identifies a virtual object associated with the hotspot;

receive, from the end user device, a selection of at least one of the loadout object associated with the video game stream or the hotspot associated with the video game stream;

provide one or both of a playable recreation of the state of the gameplay of the video game and the virtual object in response to the selection; and

debit an account of the user associated with the end user device based on an amount of value relating to the playable recreation or the virtual object.