Sony Explores AI That Could Play Games for You and Allow Selling Player Data for Training

A new patent application from Sony has emerged, focusing on AI technology that could allow agents to play games on behalf of players. Why spend hours grinding for experience points when an authorized bot could handle it? Even more unsettling, the patent hints at a system where players might trade their gameplay data for real cash.

This patent, numbered 19138338 and filed in 2022 but only published recently, outlines a method for creating an agent that plays games for users. Some may recall a similar patent from earlier this year, which introduced an AI-controlled “ghost” to assist players, but this latest application ventures deeper into a more unsettling realm.

Unlike the previous patent, which suggested training AI on gameplay footage, this one proposes using actual player habits to train the AI. The documentation indicates that the AI could be programmed to execute specific tasks autonomously, such as collecting in-game currency, advancing the story, or tackling boss battles.

However, the most intriguing aspect is the mention of a system where user data from one player could be utilized to generate an agent for another. The patent states that if a player uses data from a well-known gamer to create their agent, they might be required to pay for that data.

So, if you can purchase the AI data of a pro player and let it complete the game for you, what’s the difference between that and simply watching a playthrough on YouTube? It raises questions about the purpose of such technology and why Sony would pursue this patent. Are we really moving towards a scenario where you buy a game and then pay for an AI version of a top player to finish it for you? That feels less like gaming and more like just watching a video.

While gaming companies often file patents for various technologies and design concepts, it doesn’t necessarily mean they intend to bring them to life. However, even if Sony doesn’t pursue AI player agents, there’s always the possibility that a third-party developer could take the idea and run with it.