Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a patent for a revolutionary artificial intelligence system designed to play video games on your behalf. The technology, which could theoretically be integrated into future PlayStation consoles, aims to create a personalised AI assistant capable of tackling challenging in-game sections.
How Sony's AI 'Ghost Player' Would Work
The patent, which was initially filed in 2024 and published recently on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website, details a system that goes beyond simple pre-programmed hints. Rather than relying on developer-coded solutions, the proposed AI model would be trained dynamically. It would analyse not only your own gameplay patterns but also scour footage from social media and streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
By processing this vast amount of data, the AI, referred to as a 'ghost player', would learn how a game is played and determine an optimal strategy. The patent outlines two primary modes of operation. The first is a 'guide mode', where the ghost demonstrates a solution for the player to copy. The second is a more hands-off 'complete mode', which does exactly what it says on the tin, taking control to finish the task autonomously.
Customisation and Potential Pitfalls
Intriguingly, the patent suggests a level of interactivity and personalisation that could make the feature feel more like a companion. It mentions the possibility of players conversing with the AI ghost, having it explain objectives, and even customising its appearance. The filing goes as far as to propose that the ghost could take the form of characters from other games or films, a notion that immediately raises complex questions about licensing and intellectual property rights.
This move by Sony follows industry trends, with Microsoft already testing its Copilot AI as an in-game guide. Sony's own interest in AI for gaming is well-documented; last year, footage leaked of an AI replica of Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West that players could theoretically converse with. Furthermore, AI is expected to be a key component of the future PlayStation 6, with AI-generated assets already appearing in titles like Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Is This a Solution in Search of a Problem?
While the concept is ambitious, it enters a market where assistance features are already commonplace. Many modern games have robust built-in help systems. For instance, Insomniac's Spider-Man games allow players to skip puzzles after repeated failures, while titles like God Of War: Ragnarök have characters provide contextual hints. The PlayStation 5 itself features a comprehensive Game Help system that offers video clips from other players.
The concept of a game playing itself is not new. Nintendo previously implemented a similar 'Super Guide' feature in games like Super Mario Galaxy 2, where after numerous deaths, the game would offer to complete a level automatically. However, this feature was used in only five titles before being quietly retired, suggesting it may not have resonated strongly with players.
There are also practical concerns about the AI's reliability. A study from last year indicated that AI can be prone to spreading misinformation when assisting players. If Sony's ghost player is trained on unvetted public videos from platforms like TikTok, the risk of it learning and propagating incorrect or glitch-based strategies is significant.
It is crucial to remember that this is only a patent. There is no guarantee Sony will bring this specific technology to market. However, it underscores the company's significant investment in exploring how generative AI can reshape the player experience, for better or worse, in the years to come.
