Sony's New AI Patent Just Plays The Game For You

3 weeks ago 10

Scott Baird is a contributor with over a decade's experience writing about video games, along with board games and tabletop RPGs. Scott has previously worked for Dexerto, Cracked, Dorkly, and Gamepur.

The age of picking up a controller may be coming to an end, as Sony has patented an AI tutorial designed to help PlayStation players in real time, including taking over control as needed.

Usually, video game tutorials are basic affairs that teach people the controls, though a few manage to be exciting on their own. The exploding Mind Flayer Spelljammer in Baldur's Gate 3 comes to mind, as it gives players combat and skill check introductions, all while on a ship that the Devils of the Nine Hells are assaulting.

It seems Sony isn't a fan of indirect tutorials, at least according to a new patent. According to WIPO (as reported by Boing Boing), Sony has patented AI Ghost technology that judges the player's progress and helps them with an NPC that can take over control.

Sony Has Patented AI Ghost Players

The idea of an AI-controller character taking over for the player is silly for a few reasons. The entire point of tutorials is to help players learn the game, which they do by playing. If an AI is taking over, then players are being deprived of that knowledge.

More importantly, if players are just letting AI characters play the game for them, then why are they even bothering with video games as a hobby? At that point, it makes more sense just to put on a Let's Play or watch a Twitch streamer if the person is after simply watching the gameplay experience.

The idea is for the AI character to help the player in specific situations, which is usually when players turn to an online guide. This seems like overkill, as it's easy to find information on how to beat the most difficult bosses in video game history, and if someone gets the computer to do it for them, then they may as well have not bothered.