Thomas Unise
Sony is developing an AI system that could play video games on behalf of human players, according to a recently filed patent. This technology represents a significant step in how artificial intelligence is being integrated into gaming experiences, potentially changing the relationship between players and games.
Key Details About Sony’s ‘Ghost Player’ Patent
The patent, filed in September 2024 and reported by Video Games Chronicle, outlines an AI system called “Ghost Player” that would take control of a player’s character when they encounter difficulties in gameplay. The system would offer two primary modes:
- “Guide Mode” – Shows players the correct approach to overcome challenges
- “Complete Mode” – Fully takes over gameplay, completing sections for the player
Gaming Assistance vs. Player Agency
This development raises questions about the balance between accessibility and maintaining the core gaming experience. While assistance features aren’t new in gaming, an AI that plays the game for you represents a significant shift in player engagement:
Traditional gaming assistance has included walkthroughs, hints, and adjustable difficulty settings that still require player participation and learning. Sony’s PlayStation 5 already offers a Game Help system providing guides and hints, but the Ghost Player would take this concept much further by potentially removing the need for player input altogether.
Industry Context and Reactions
Sony’s patent emerges amid growing AI integration across the gaming industry:
- Microsoft introduced “Copilot for Gaming” last year, an AI assistant that coaches players through voice and text prompts
- Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has committed to using AI in “nearly all future production”
- The gaming community has generally responded negatively to AI use in creative aspects like promotional artwork and character voices
Many gamers and industry observers express concern about AI potentially diminishing the interactive nature of gaming experiences. As journalist Mike Drucker predicted in The Gamer, 2026 could become “the year that AI in gaming gets super annoying.”
The Broader Implications
Sony’s Ghost Player concept exemplifies a growing trend where AI is being positioned to take over activities traditionally performed by humans. While presented as enhancing accessibility and convenience, it raises important questions about the value of challenge, skill development, and active participation in entertainment experiences.
Whether such technology will gain widespread acceptance remains uncertain, but the patent demonstrates that major gaming companies are actively exploring ways to fundamentally change how players interact with their products.
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