Sony files patent for AI ghost system to assist players through difficult game sections

Sony has patented an AI “ghost” player designed to assist or complete difficult game sections for players

Sony has filed a patent for artificial intelligence technology that could allow PlayStation games to assist players by demonstrating or completing difficult sections on their behalf. The patent describes an AI “ghost” system designed to intervene when players become stuck during gameplay.

The filing was originally submitted in September 2024, with a World Intellectual Property Organization status report published recently.

The document outlines a system that creates a “ghost” version of the player, capable of guiding gameplay in real time rather than relying on static hints or external walkthroughs.

According to the patent, the technology could operate across several modes, including Story, Combat, Exploration and Full Game.

In Combat mode, the AI overlay would show players how to defeat enemies by highlighting attack timings and patterns for them to follow.

Story and Exploration modes would focus on narrative progression or navigation. Full Game mode would allow the ghost player to complete a section entirely, enabling the user to continue without prolonged difficulty.

The patent explains the rationale behind the system, stating: “Games become very complicated, so players who are not experts oftentimes quit playing or find it hard to complete tasks. Players are able to do research for the game or even lookup prior gameplays on internet sites, but that process is time consuming and many times not very relevant to tasks and/or scenarios currently being encountered by the player.”

The concept resembles an advanced version of PlayStation 5’s existing Game Help feature, shifting from text-based prompts to visual, in-game demonstrations.

The patent does not confirm whether the feature will be released on PlayStation consoles. Companies frequently file patents to protect experimental ideas that may never reach consumers.

The filing also follows other recent Sony patents related to artificial intelligence, including technology intended to censor game content in real time, indicating continued exploration of AI-driven systems within its gaming ecosystem.