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Source: https://www.veryaligaming.com/sony-cloud-gaming-gameplay-sharing/

Rundown:​

• Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently published a patent for a system that allows players to share specific portions of gameplay from a video game executed on a cloud gaming system.
• The patent aims to address the challenge of sharing recorded gameplay from a video game within the context of cloud gaming systems, where games are executed on remote servers and streamed to players’ devices.
• The system enables the player to share a specific portion of their gameplay with the second player, who can access and play that portion through their own video game session.
• The shared portion provides a similar gameplay experience for the second player, allowing them to play at the same spatial location and point in time as the first player in the original gameplay.

Earlier today, we came across a recently published patent from Sony Interactive Entertainment titled “METHOD FOR SHARING A PORTION OF GAMEPLAY OF A VIDEO GAME,” filed in December 2022 under the name of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. The patent, published earlier this month, describes a system for sharing a portion of gameplay from a video game with others.

The method involves executing the video game on a cloud gaming system and streaming the gameplay over a network to a player. During the gameplay, the first player can share a specific portion of the gameplay. In response to this, the second player is provided with access to that specific portion of the video game through their own video game session. This allows the second player to play and interact with the shared portion of the video game.

Multiple users in multiple locations engaged in gameplay of cloud-based video games. | Source: Patent Public Search
“A method is provided, including: executing a first session of a video game by a cloud gaming system, wherein executing the first session generates a first game state of the video game for gameplay of the video game by a first user; streaming the gameplay of the video game over a network to enable the gameplay of the video game by the first user; receiving, during said gameplay, a command to share an interactive playable portion of the gameplay of the video game by the first user; responsive to the command, providing to a second user access to the interactive playable portion of the video game, through execution of a second session of the video game that generates a second game state of the video game for gameplay of the interactive playable portion by the second user,”reads the abstract for the patent.

This patent aims to solve the problem of sharing recorded gameplay from a video game with others, specifically within the context of cloud gaming systems. Traditional gaming systems often require players to physically be in the same location or have compatible gaming consoles to share gameplay experiences.

However, with the advent of cloud gaming systems, where video games are executed on remote servers and streamed to players’ devices, there is a need for an efficient method to share gameplay experiences with others who may not have access to the same video game or gaming platform. The patent addresses this problem by providing a method for a player to share a specific portion of their gameplay with another player.

Interface for selecting a portion of a gameplay timeline for generation of a minigame, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. | Source: Patent Public Search

This allows the second player to have a similar gameplay experience by accessing and playing that specific portion of the video game through their own video game session. By enabling this sharing capability, the patent aims to enhance social interactions and engagement among players, allowing them to share their gameplay achievements, strategies, or memorable moments with their friends and followers.

According to the patent’s claims, the system involves executing a video game session on a cloud gaming system, streaming the gameplay to the first player, receiving a command from the first player to share a specific portion of the gameplay, generating a video game setup state based on the current gameplay state, and providing access to the shared portion to the second player through their own video game session.

The video game setup state includes initial properties for in-game elements such as items, characters, vehicles, or objects. The second video game session includes customisations specific to the second player, such as personalised character, object, or property settings. The customisations for the second player can also include personalised adjustments to characters, objects, or properties in the video game.

Modification of a virtual space for purposes of generating a game slice of a video game, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. | Source: Patent Public Search

Additionally, the first gameplay state and the second gameplay state are continuously generated during their respective video game sessions. The gameplay experience for the second player in the shared portion is similar to the gameplay experience of the first player in the original gameplay. The shared portion provides gameplay for the second player in a scene of the video game that is the same as the scene from which it was shared.

The shared portion also allows the second player to play at the same spatial location and point in time in the video game as the first player during the original gameplay. Furthermore, access to the shared portion is provided to the second player through a social interface that allows the second player to view the gameplay of the shared portion.

Interface for browsing game slices associated with various game titles, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. | Source: Patent Public Search

Although the specific implementation details of how Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to integrate this system into its current and future cloud gaming platforms like PlayStation Now remain unclear, the granting of this patent signifies a notable advancement in the company’s efforts to innovate cloud gaming and maintain a competitive edge.

With the demise of Google Stadia, Sony Interactive Entertainment appears to be rekindling its focus on cloud gaming. Despite recent layoffs, the company is actively recruiting for cloud gaming positions on its website. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the system described in the patent is currently only a concept, and its actual implementation is uncertain. Only time will reveal Sony Interactive Entertainment’s future plans for cloud gaming.

What do you think about this? Do tell us your opinions in the comments below!

 

[feynoob]

This is their new Q device right?

 

[yurinka]

What is the difference between this and the already existing Share Play?

As I remember, Share Play was to share digitally your gamepad to a friend, so he could play a portion of your game via game streaming. Like asking a more skilled friend to complete a specifically difficult area where you get stuck, or to play together in a local only MP games.

This is their new Q device right?

No. The Q device is a PS5 controller with a display in the middle, that gets the PS5 video output streamed locally from your PS5 via Remote Play.

 

[DeepEnigma]

What is the difference between this and the already existing Share Play?

None. People get confused with these patents thinking it's something new. Happens all the time.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

What is the difference between this and the already existing Share Play?

As I remember, Share Play was to share digitally your gamepad to a friend, so he could play a portion of your game via game streaming. Like asking a more skilled friend to complete a specifically difficult area where you get stuck, or to play together in a local only MP games.


No. The Q device is a PS5 controller with a display in the middle, that gets the PS5 video output streamed locally from your PS5 via Remote Play.

It would mean they can both play their own instance without the need to actually share a game instance and I think it takes frames from one location and streams them to another location.

I think it's kinda to optimize the whole streaming thing.

I was reading up years ago that MS wanted to do something where the xbox users consoles while not being used could be used as a cloud host for other xbox users within the location. Kinda sudo data center for game streaming. Can't remember where this was mentioned or if I'm just making it all up.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

None. People get confused with these patents thinking it's something new. Happens all the time.

patent update? my bad on the theorys.

 

[DeepEnigma]

patent update? my bad on the theorys.

It can just be an evolution in their share play. But it all reads pretty much the same, maybe a few refinements via a cloud game vs you hosting your local game.

 

[lh032]

 

[yurinka]

It would mean they can both play their own instance without the need to actually share a game instance and I think it takes frames from one location and streams them to another location.

I think it's kinda to optimize the whole streaming thing.

I was reading up years ago that MS wanted to do something where the xbox users consoles while not being used could be used as a cloud host for other xbox users within the location. Kinda sudo data center for game streaming. Can't remember where this was mentioned or if I'm just making it all up.

None. People get confused with these patents thinking it's something new. Happens all the time.

I went now to see this patent filling and it's a new one filled in 2022 but also incudes many content from several previous Sony patents to build on top of them.

The new stuff that adds seems to expand their Share Play patent to cloud gaming (maybe they only had it patented for local native games).

In the abstract portion they mention a case where a player playing cloud gaming lets other cloud gaming player play a small portion of his/her gameplay session. In this case sharing savedata instead of streaming from his console.

Sounds both an optimization of Shareplay while also expanding it to cloud gaming.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I went now to see this patent filling and it's a new one filled in 2022 but also incudes many content from several previous Sony patents to build on top of them.

The new stuff that adds seems to expand their Share Play patent to cloud gaming (maybe they only had it patented for local native games).

They mention a case where a player playing cloud gaming lets other cloud gaming player play a small portion of his/her gameplay session. In this case sharing savedata. So the other player streams the gameplay from the cloud instead of from the other player's console. Which should be better unless that second player is too far from a cloud gaming server and way closer to the first one.

It can just be an evolution in their share play. But it all reads pretty much the same, maybe a few refinements via a cloud game vs you hosting your local game.

Agreed. Either way, it's for cloud games which I have no interest in.