Most online and multiplayer games share a common issue: they do not allow players to pause the game. Some titles offer limited pause options, but these usually require approval from other players or only work under certain conditions.
Sony has registered a new patent that could solve this problem without greatly affecting other players. The patent is called “Soft Pause,” and it would allow the game to adjust gameplay dynamically when a player is distracted, such as when receiving a direct message.
A “Soft Pause” That Reduces Intensity Instead of Stopping the Game
Instead of fully stopping the game, the system would reduce the difficulty or intensity during the pause. The match would continue running, but in a less demanding way for the distracted player.
This technology could also be adapted to introduce a proper pause function in multiplayer games, something many players have wanted for years.
The patent explains that the pause could be activated manually by pressing a button. It could also work automatically if the system detects a distraction or another external event that might interrupt the player.
According to the patent, the technology would be smart enough to understand the context and urgency of the interruption. It could then adjust the level of the pause depending on the situation and the player’s needs.
On paper, the idea sounds very promising. However, it remains to be seen how well it would work in real gameplay.
For now, this is only a patent. It could change the way we play online and multiplayer games in the future, but there is no confirmation that Sony will implement it in an upcoming product.
In other news, Sony plans to avoid raising PlayStation 5 hardware prices by increasing revenue through its existing user base, despite rising component costs for memory.
Seriously? Looks like the patent office will accept any idiotic thing these days. Not only is this idea completely nonsensical, a patent should be about a method to achieve something. Pressing a button can’t be patented.
I imagine this patent will get struck down if it ever reaches a court, but I can’t imagine that it will. What competitive game will reduce the difficulty at a press of a button? That’s incorporating a cheat directly into the game.