Abstract:
Sony recently obtained a U.S. patent covering a new live interactive system. According to the patent description, viewers watching the live broadcast can not only mark and prompt the host's game screen, but can even directly affect the development of events in the game in some cases, thus further extending the live broadcast interaction from traditional barrages and comments to the actual game experience.
This patent, titled "Adaptive Screen Share Pointer and Reactions During Gameplay", was first submitted in October 2023 and was authorized in October 2026. The system allows viewers to get a cursor displayed on the host's game screen, and the appearance of the cursor can be adjusted based on different game content. Examples of the patent show that viewers can use the cursor to mark the boss's weaknesses, point out the target location, or guide the anchor to perform aiming operations, thereby helping the anchor complete the game challenge.
In addition to the cursor function, the system also supports viewers to place stickers on the screen or send emoticon feedback. These feedbacks can even be converted into tactile signals, which are transmitted to the anchor in the form of vibrations through devices such as controllers, VR headsets, or mobile phones, allowing the anchor to instantly feel the interactive response from the audience.
What is even more concerning is that the patent content further puts forward the concept of "audience-specific gaming behavior". According to the design, some game events will no longer be completely controlled by the host, but will allow viewers to trigger specific actions, such as activating a mechanism, opening a hidden area, or revealing a hidden prop. Game developers can define these interactive mechanisms in which audiences can participate through specialized software development kits (SDKs).
In order to avoid cluttering the live broadcast, the system allows only one viewer cursor to appear on the screen at the same time. Controls will be queued and rotated based on the viewer's engagement points. At the same time, both anchors and viewers can receive support from the reward system. Anchors can obtain rewards such as virtual trophies by harvesting audience interaction, while audiences receive different levels of rewards based on their level of participation.
It is worth noting that the client devices mentioned in the patent document include not only Sony PlayStation consoles, but also Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo game platforms. This means that the patent concept is not limited to a single game platform, but is oriented to a wider range of live interactive scenarios.
However, approval of a patent does not mean that related products will be launched on the market. Sony has not yet announced that this technology will be applied to PS5, future PS6, or any specific games and services. It is widely believed in the industry that large technology companies often apply for patents to protect innovative concepts, and a large number of them do not end up being transformed into actual products.
In recent years, Sony has disclosed a number of experimental game patents. For example, the Boss system can dynamically learn and adjust behavior based on the player's reaction speed and number of failures, artificial intelligence assistive technology to help players with mobility impairments complete operational inputs, the click-to-pay function that supports PlayStation controllers, and buttonless adaptive controllers with customizable layouts, etc. Therefore, this new patent for live broadcast viewers to deeply participate in the game process should still be regarded as a forward-looking idea that Sony is reserving and protecting. Whether it will actually be implemented in the future remains to be seen.
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