Sony’s Ghost Player patent points to a future where AI doesn’t just assist players but can actively take over gameplay, reflecting a broader shift toward intelligent, automated companions in gaming. (Source: Image by RR)

New System Could Demonstrate or Fully Complete Gameplay Sections

Sony has patented a new AI-driven gameplay assistance system that could allow PlayStation games to effectively play themselves when players run into difficulty. The technology, referred to in patent documents as “Ghost Player,” enables an AI-generated version of the player character to appear in-game and either demonstrate how to solve a challenge or complete it outright. The patent, as noted in videogameschronicle.com, was originally filed in September 2024, an international status report was published this week, bringing renewed attention to the concept.

According to the filing, Ghost Player would offer multiple modes of assistance. In a “Guide Mode,” players could watch an AI-controlled version of a character—such as Nathan Drake in Uncharted—demonstrate how to solve a puzzle before attempting it themselves. A “Complete Mode” would go further, automatically finishing the section on the player’s behalf. This approach expands on existing accessibility and assist features, such as difficulty scaling, encounter skips, and puzzle hint systems that are already common across modern games.

What distinguishes Sony’s proposal is that the AI model would be trained on existing gameplay footage, rather than relying on pre-scripted developer inputs. This suggests a more dynamic, context-aware assistant capable of adapting to specific moments in a game. The system appears to be an evolution of PS5 Game Help, which provides in-game visual or video guidance through the console’s card interface and has been particularly popular among trophy hunters.

However, Sony has not confirmed any plans to deploy the Ghost Player technology in future PlayStation hardware or software. Like many patents, it may never be implemented. Still, the concept reflects a broader industry trend toward AI-powered in-game assistants, following Microsoft’s introduction of Copilot for Gaming, which positions AI as a coaching companion for less experienced players. Together, these developments suggest that AI-driven guidance—and even automation—may increasingly shape how players engage with games.

read more at videogameschronicle.com