Is Sony preparing to redefine the way we play video games? A recently published patent reveals that the brand is seriously considering letting artificial intelligence take over a game when the player is stuck. One more step towards automated assistance capable of intervening in real time to move the action forward.
Behind this idea is an “AI ghost”, a system integrated into the game, which would analyze the situation, consult gameplay databases (YouTube, Twitch, PlayStation Network), then decide either to show the solution or to act directly in the player’s place. According to Sony, the AI would be trained from real games and could precisely understand the context of each gaming session.
A patent that goes beyond traditional assistance systems
What Sony offers goes beyond a simple tutorial or an integrated video guide. In official documents, the company criticizes the old methods used to help players:
“Some solutions involve using a character that the user can follow,” Sony writes.
But this aid is considered too limited:
“However, this character is usually a graphic image or outline of a player who has already played, and the user must track him by observing his actions (including those and interactions irrelevant to his current game).”
An AI capable of understanding the exact context of the player
The main argument of the patent is based on the ability of this AI to finely adapt to the current situation. It would not just replay a standard solution, but would analyze what precisely the player is trying to accomplish at any given moment.
Sony justifies this orientation as follows:
“However, this is of little use in providing real-time assistance to a player encountering difficulties in a specific game scenario or during progression. Indeed, the character is unaware of precisely what the player is playing and the context of their game.”
A system designed to evolve with the player
Another advantage: constant learning. With gameplay clips streamed online and player data on the PlayStation Network, the system could improve over time. The objective is to create an intuitive AI, which understands the player’s intentions, and not a simple replay of an already successful course.
Sony summarizes the current limits that it wants to overcome as follows:
“Additionally, the character typically only performs the actions of a single previous player. What’s more, the character is only featured in general gameplay scenarios related to the game, and not in relation to the context of the player’s current game.”
This patent does not guarantee immediate application, but opens up a field of possibilities. In the near future, if you are stuck in front of a boss in “Clair Obscur” or “Bloodborne”, this AI could offer you a solution… or overcome the obstacle itself for you. For now, it’s just a project, but it could well transform the gaming experience as we know it.