Sony Patents AI Ghost to Provide In-Game Help for Stuck Players

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Sony has received a patent for an AI-powered feature that would act as a helpful guide in video games. According to the patent, this AI character could appear on screen to assist players who are stuck. Interestingly, the AI could also play entire sections of a game on its own, without any player input.

Similar to companies like Microsoft and EA, Sony has been increasingly exploring artificial intelligence in recent years. They even created Sony AI, a dedicated research and development division focused on new AI technologies, which launched in April 2020.

Sony Patents “AI Generated Ghost Player” Technology

Sony recently patented an “AI-powered ghost player,” a technology first filed on September 5, 2024, and officially approved on April 17, 2025. A report by BoingBoing brought renewed attention to the patent on December 29, 2025. According to Sony, while existing “ghost” characters in games can offer some guidance, they are limited in their actions and don’t adapt to each player’s specific needs. This new technology aims to create a more helpful and personalized in-game assistant.

Sony is developing AI companions that could help players overcome challenges in games. These AI ‘ghost players’ would learn by studying how others play, and then by watching the player’s own gameplay to figure out exactly what kind of help is needed.

The AI-controlled ghost character would help players in various ways, depending on the chosen gameplay mode. For example, it could appear as a simple outline, showing players the best path forward. Another mode would display the button presses needed to perform actions alongside the outline. The ghost could even have conversations with the player’s character to offer guidance. Sony’s patent also details a “Complete Mode” where the AI character would fully play through the challenge for the player, essentially taking control of the game.

Sony has patented an AI character that’s described as a “ghost” or “outline,” but could actually appear in many different forms. It could be as simple as a shadow, or a fully animated character. The patent also suggests it could be based on a movie character, something created by a user, or even a figure from another video game. It appears that customizing this AI character would be a key feature in certain games.

It’s important to remember that Sony filing a patent doesn’t guarantee they’ll actually use the technology. The patent has been in effect since April 2025, and Sony hasn’t said anything publicly about it. However, given that Microsoft has already created a similar AI system, it’s certainly possible Sony could develop something along these lines.

In September 2025, Microsoft launched the Xbox Gaming Copilot (Beta) for Windows PCs and mobile devices. This AI assistant learns from your Xbox gaming activity and offers helpful suggestions and instant advice while you play. It doesn’t play the game for you, but it’s a significant step forward for AI in gaming, and it may encourage other companies to explore similar tools.

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2026-01-06 20:11