Synchronization model for virtual tournaments

A system comprising:

• at least one data processor;
• and
• memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, causes the at least one data processor to implement a method comprising:
• transmitting, by a tournament server, an instruction to a first client and to a second client to synchronously initiate gameplay of an online video game including a first game instance executing on the first client and a second game instance executing on the second client, wherein the first game instance and the second game instance have different game states and execute using a game server, wherein the game server, the first game instance, and the second game instance lack a mechanism for initiating gameplay at a same time;
• receiving, from the tournament server and at a media management server operatively coupled to the tournament server, a first video stream and a second video stream, the first video stream and the second video stream synchronized in response to the transmission of the instruction, the first video stream comprising captured video of the gameplay of the first game instance, and the second video stream comprising captured video of gameplay of the second game instance;
• providing, from a commentator client and to a viewing client, simultaneous gameplay of the first game instance and the second game instance for side-by-side viewing by the viewing client, the providing comprising:
• generating, by the media management server from the first video stream and the second video stream and in response to a first input from the commentator client, a comparison feed comprising the first video stream and the second video stream displayed side-by-side;
• selecting, by the media management server, one or more key segments of the comparison feed;
• assembling, by the media management server, at least the one or more selected key segments of the comparison feed into a suggested broadcast video stream;
• transmitting, by the media management server, the suggested broadcast video stream to the commentator client;
• changing, by the media management server, an order of the one or more selected key segments in the suggested broadcast video stream in response to a second input from the commentator client to generate a broadcast video stream;
• and
• providing, by the media management server, the broadcast video stream to the viewing client.

A non-transitory computer program product storing instructions, which when executed by at least one data processor of at least one computing system, implement a method comprising:

• transmitting, by a tournament server, an instruction to a first client and to a second client to synchronously initiate gameplay of an online video game including a first game instance executing on the first client and a second game instance executing on the second client, wherein the first game instance and the second game instance have different game states and execute using a game server, wherein the game server, the first game instance, and the second game instance lack a mechanism for initiating gameplay at a same time;
• receiving, from the tournament server and at a media management server operatively coupled to the tournament server, a first video stream and a second video stream, the first video stream and the second video stream synchronized in response to the transmission of the instruction, the first video stream comprising captured video of the gameplay of the first game instance, and the second video stream comprising captured video of gameplay of the second game instance;
• providing, from a commentator client and to a viewing client, simultaneous gameplay of the first game instance and the second game instance for side-by-side viewing by the viewing client, the providing comprising:
• generating, by the media management server from the first video stream and the second video stream and in response to a first input from the commentator client, a comparison feed comprising the first video stream and the second video stream displayed side-by-side;
• selecting, by the media management server, one or more key segments of the comparison feed;
• assembling, by the media management server, at least the one or more selected key segments of the comparison feed into a suggested broadcast video stream;
• transmitting, by the media management server, the suggested broadcast video stream to the commentator client;
• changing, by the media management server, an order of the one or more selected key segments in the suggested broadcast video stream in response to a second input from the commentator client to generate a broadcast video stream;
• and
• providing, by the media management server, the broadcast video stream to the viewing client.