Sony’s AI-Generated Podcasts Featuring Kratos Could Be Its Most Controversial Patent Yet

Have you ever imagined a podcast featuring Kratos sharing insights about the latest games you could dive into on the PlayStation Store? Probably not, but it seems someone at Sony had that idea, as they’ve secured a patent for AI-generated podcasts featuring PlayStation characters, designed as a tailored marketing tool to engage players based on their interests.

The patent, titled “LLM-Based Generative Podcasts for Gamers,” was granted to Sony last month after being filed in July 2024, well ahead of the AI-driven performance tech showcased in a leaked demo featuring an AI-enhanced Aloy from Horizon in 2025.

According to the patent, “Video game platforms currently lack the ability to provide unique and targeted content to gamers to update the gamers about things that are happening on the platform.” It highlights a gap in the market for personalized content delivery.

Sony’s solution to this perceived issue is to launch a daily AI-generated podcast where characters like Parappa the Rapper, Ellie, or Jin Sakai recap your gameplay and share updates on current and upcoming games. This approach aims to enhance personalization, with the character delivering the marketing content being one from a game you’ve recently played. The podcast would draw from your play history and friends list to tailor the content specifically for you. For instance, Nathan Drake could inform you about friends earning Platinum trophies in a game and recommend it, while Ratchet might keep you updated on patches and changes for the titles you’re enjoying. And yes, the characters might even poke fun at your gaming mishaps.

While companies often patent ideas that never materialize, the legal hurdles involved in using actors’ performances to train these AI models, coupled with recent agreements from SAG-AFTRA that require actors to consent to such uses, make it hard to envision this concept coming to life. Nonetheless, this reflects a trend of companies attempting to integrate AI into their offerings to address non-existent issues. Transforming beloved characters into AI-generated content risks diluting a brand that Sony has spent years cultivating with a reputation for quality. It’s difficult to see why the company would jeopardize that image and strain relationships with actors concerned about AI encroachment, especially for minimal gain.