A new Sony patent has made it to the public, which cites the console manufacturer’s plan to help gamers out of a difficult pinch. Many a time, gamers can get stuck at a particular stage in the game, rendered unable to progress until they finish the task. This may be a particularly strong boss battle, a puzzle they can’t figure out the solution to, or a platforming level that just can’t be cleared. The new Sony patent aims to resolve these issues for gamers, who usually have to take the help of the internet gaming community to help them navigate these issues.
Citing the difficulties presented by increasingly complex games being released to Sony consoles, the portion of the patent statement reads,
‘With higher processing power video games are becoming more complex and expansive. However, with the increasing complexity, users may find it increasingly difficult to navigate through and/or complete the video game.‘
The new Sony console is aimed at minimizing the number of players stopping gameplay—either to go online and look for a solution or to just bang the controller down, disheartened. Through this new solution, players can continue with their gameplay and ask for an expert’s help to get them out of a sticky situation.
How will the new Sony patent help gamers?
The new Sony patent will help gamers clear a particularly difficult puzzle, level, or boss fight by connecting them with an expert in real-time. A connection will be formed between the consoles of the two players, and the expert can offer assistance to the player who cannot complete a particular stage in the game. The patent statement reads,
‘A first expert is assigned to the first player for obtaining assistance. A communication session is generated between a device of the first expert and a device of the first player to enable the first expert to render assistance to the first player.’
This means when a gamer is stuck at a certain level, another can take control of their in-game character and finish the job for them. Another possible explanation could be that the expert will act as a ‘guy in the chair’, helping the player out by providing tips and tricks in real-time to solve their problem.
This new Sony patent certainly presents an interesting proposition. On one hand, the possibility of not being stuck at a certain difficult level for hours does seem favorable. In hardcore RPGs, such as Elden Ring and the new God of War series, certain boss battles do present a significant challenge to new players. This new feature can certainly help elevate the gameplay experience for casual gamers who want nothing but a minor gameplay challenge and maximum immersion in terms of narrative. However, one can’t help but wonder if this will take away the sense of achievement from the player.
After all, gaming is primarily a player-driven experience. Even in an age where developers are delving more and more into immersive stories and massive worlds with relatable (or in some cases, atrociously despicable) characters, the true endorphin rush comes from defeating that apparently hard-to-beat boss or finishing a platforming level after falling to death countless times. With the goal of the new Sony patent encouraging players to keep playing, one has to wonder how many players will choose to give off the reins in a pinch, just to feel like they have cheated themselves while progressing in the storyline afterward.
Moreover, another element to find out about this patent would be whether Sony decides to put it behind a paywall.
Source: SegmentNext
