Sony patented a 'ghost player' with AI that is capable of helping the player or completing levels without human intervention
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Sony once again shook the gaming world with a patent that is sparking a heated debate. The company registered an artificial intelligencetechnology capable of helping the player or directly playing in the player's place.
The information comes from a document by the World Intellectual Property Organization and was picked up by the site BoingBoing, which brought the topic back into the spotlight.
La compañía registró una tecnología de inteligencia artificial capaz de ayudar al jugador
Sony and its new AI technology applied to video games
On September 5, 2024, Sony filed a patent for a system called "AI caused ghost player". The official approval arrived on April 17, 2025.
The concept describes a character controlled by artificial intelligence that appears on screen when the player gets stuck in a part of the game.
How Sony's "ghost player" works
According to the patent, this system is first trained by watching recorded gameplays. It then analyzes in real time how the user plays in order to understand what problem the user is facing.
Cómo funciona el “ghost player” de Sony
Unlike traditional "ghosts," the assistance adapts specifically to each situation and not to preprogrammed movements.
The different assistance modes proposed by the patent
One of the modes shows an outline or silhouette that moves through the level indicating the correct path. Another adds on screen the buttons that the player has to press.
Uno de los modos muestra un contorno o silueta que avanza por el escenario
The document also describes an interactive mode, where the ghost can talk with the player's character to guide the player through the level.
The most controversial mode: the AI that plays for you
The most controversial point is the so-called "Complete Mode". In that case, the AI takes control and overcomes the challenge without the player's intervention.
In practice, the system could complete entire sections of the game autonomously.
Sony anunció una nueva función que va a llegar próximamente a la PS5
A customizable ghost with multiple forms
The patent clarifies that the ghost doesn't have a single appearance. It can be a shadow, an animated character, a figure from another franchise, or even an avatar created by the user. Customization would be a key part of the experience in certain titles.
For now, Sony has not made any official announcements about the implementation of the system. As is the case with many patents, there are no guarantees that it will reach the market.
