System and method of generating and distributing video game streams

• US 10,376,781 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2015
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• 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:
  US14/919,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20170113135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 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 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1089 by adding media; by removing media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

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 generating and providing at least one video game stream for playback of a gameplay of a video game, 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:

causing, by the computer, a plurality of game logs to be stored in a memory, the plurality of game logs comprising at least a first game log that specifies at least a first event that occurred during the gameplay of the video game to which the first game log relates and information that indicates at least a first time in which the first event occurred during the gameplay;

causing, by the computer, a plurality of metadata tracks to be stored in the memory, wherein each one of the plurality of metadata tracks is associated with and annotates at least one of the plurality of game logs, wherein the plurality of metadata tracks comprise at least a first metadata track associated with the first game log and a second metadata track associated with the first game log;

receiving, by the computer, a request to access the at least one video game stream from a user, wherein the request comprises data indicative of the first game log;

identifying, by the computer, responsive to the request, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track to be provided to the user;

creating, by the computer, the at least one video game stream using the first game log and the at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track, wherein the creating of the at least one video game stream is performed dynamically in response to receiving the request to access the at least one video game stream; and

causing, by the computer, the at least one video game stream to be provided to the user via a network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at an end user device of the user, the at least one video game stream;

obtaining, by the end user device, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track from the at least one video game stream; and

generating, by the end user device, the playback of at least a portion of the gameplay based on the first event and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein generating the playback comprises:

providing, by the end user device, the first game log as an input to a game engine of the video game executing at the end user device, wherein the game engine is configured to generate the playback based on the first game log.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining, by the computer, the first game log and the first metadata track during or after completion of the gameplay from a device at which the gameplay occurred.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining, by the computer, the first metadata track during or after completion of a playback of the gameplay after the gameplay has occurred.

6. A system for generating and providing at least one video game stream for playback of a gameplay of a video game, 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;

store a plurality of game logs in a memory, the plurality of game logs comprising at least a first game log that specifies at least a first event that occurred during the gameplay of the video game to which the first game log relates and information that indicates at least a first time in which the first event occurred during the gameplay;

store a plurality of metadata tracks in the memory, wherein each one of the plurality of metadata tracks is associated with and annotates at least one of the plurality of game logs, the plurality of metadata tracks including at least a first metadata track associated with the first game log and a second metadata track associated with the first game log;

receive a request to access the at least one video game stream from a user, wherein the request comprises data indicative of the first game log and a metadata track;

identify, responsive to the request, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track to be provided to the user;

create the at least one video game stream using the first game log and the at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track, wherein the creation of the at least one video game stream is performed dynamically in response to receiving the request to access the at least one video game stream; and

provide the at least one video game stream to the user via a network.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more physical processors are further caused to:

receive, at an end user device of the user, the at least one video game stream;

obtain, by the end user device, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track from the at least one video game stream; and

generate, by the end user device, the playback of at least a portion of the gameplay based on the first event and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein to generate the playback, the one or more physical processors are further caused to:

provide, by the end user device, the game log as an input to a game engine of the video game executing at the end user device, wherein the game engine is configured to generate the playback based on the game log.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more physical processors are further caused to:

obtain the first game log and the first metadata track during or after completion of the gameplay from a device at which the gameplay occurred.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more physical processors are further caused to:

obtain the first metadata track during or after completion of the playback of the gameplay after the gameplay has occurred.

11. A computer program product for generating and providing at least one video game stream for playback of a gameplay of a video game, 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 storage devices that, when executed, cause a computer to;

store a plurality of game logs in a memory, the plurality of game logs comprising at least a first game log that specifies at least a first event that occurred during the gameplay of the video game to which the first game log relates and information that indicates at least a first time in which the first event occurred during the gameplay;

store a plurality of metadata tracks in the memory, wherein each one of the plurality of metadata tracks is associated with and annotates at least one of the plurality of game logs, the plurality of metadata tracks including at least a first metadata track associated with the first game log and a second metadata track associated with the first game log;

receive a request to access the at least one video game stream from a user, wherein the request comprises data indicative of the first game log;

identify, responsive to the request, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track to be provided to the user;

create the at least one video game stream using the first game log and the at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track, wherein the creation of the at least one video game stream is performed dynamically in response to receiving the request to access the at least one video game stream; and

provide the at least one video game stream to the user via a network.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage devices that, when executed, cause the computer to:

receive, at an end user device of the user, the at least one video game stream;

obtain, by the end user device, the first game log and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track from the at least one video game stream; and

generate, by the end user device, the playback of at least a portion of the gameplay based on the first event and at least one of the first metadata track or the second metadata track.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein to generate the playback, the program instructions, when executed, further cause the computer to:

provide, by the end user device, the first game log as an input to a game engine of the video game executing at the end user device, wherein the game engine is configured to generate the playback based on the first game log.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein to generate the playback, the program instructions, when executed, further cause the computer to:

obtain the first game log and the first metadata track during or after completion of the gameplay from a device at which the gameplay occurred.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein to generate the playback, the program instructions, when executed, further cause the computer to:

obtain the first metadata track during or after completion of the playback of the gameplay after the gameplay has occurred.