Sony granted patent which lets spectators pay to remove players from games

This is probably one of the most bizarre gaming patent I've seen.

Sony granted patent which lets spectators pay to remove players from games • Eurogamer.net

From EG

'A patent has been granted to Sony that will allow spectators of a game to vote to remove players.

The patent, titled 'Spectators Vote to Bench Players in a Video Game' and viewable here, will allow viewers to vote or pay to have a player removed, or send a custom message.

The patent specifies Twitch as an example of how spectators can view live streamed games, citing the increased interest in streaming and esports as a reason for developers to find new ways to enhance the viewing experience.

Viewers would be given access to a menu alongside the stream that would include options to remove (or "bench") players, warn the player to improve, provide a custom message, or keep a player in the game.

The patent specifies that custom message could be feedback or a warning regarding the player's performance - it does not mention positive encouragement.

A player would only be removed if voting reaches above a certain threshold - a suggested 60 percent. There would also be a weighting system, with a more skilled spectator having greater impact on the vote. That skill level would be determined by the spectator's game level, statistics or accomplishments in the game.

Spectators would also be able to pay money to remove a player, be it through real money, in-game currency, or cryptocurrency.'

Virtual reality Cancel culture.

Hurry...

:P

I just got gone reading that over on Twitter. But anyhow, it is bad but not nearly as bad as the title would suggest. Apparently the patent specifically deals with Esports and there needs to be a 60% consensus. The patent is meant to improve interactivity between Esports and the viewers. Overall it is a terrible idea though, it seems like it wouldn't be too hard to exploit. But again, this patent has nothing to do with multiplayer gaming for the general public like, it focuses solely on Esports and its competitors.

(parts of me wish Gamespot would do that. like say, if certain posters have a certain amount of suspensions for constant trolling other posters could pay SBAllen a buck to finally get rid of them)

Spectators will have to wear a outfit though

@gym_lion said:

Spectators will have to wear a outfit though

Fall Guys already did it first😉

Its probably just a patent filing for sake of it, not all patent is used but so the idea wont get stolen/used by competing companies.

Anyhow could be a fun mechanics used in gameshow type of game.

Do they even play games any more at Playstation? Now they're giving perks to spectators to pay up to moderate online games.

It's like when you are watching a TV show and there's a character you really don't like, so you call up the network and you pay a sum, and it's a miracle! That character has been written off the show.

Brilliant, Sony.

Would be hilarious for singleplayer games.

@jaydan: It sounds like it would be for eSports events or twitch streamers, neither one of those I really give a shit about.

So e-sports won't be about skill but who has the most followers, so long as those followers pay up?

That sounds pretty messed up. I definitely see no way how something like that could be abused. 😅

Sony doesn't even have any competitive games out there that are worth watching, so we good.

Major corps should pay more for patents. To them it's peanuts, but to a small business it's a major investment.

Pretty lame.

What could possibly go wrong?

GT Sport does alright.

Love all the leaping to conclusions. 😃

Patents, been like this for years, no indication they will make this part of any existing service, however years down the road should anybody do anything similar, they can lean on them for a cut or threaten them with burdensome costly litigation, basically to muscle money.

I could see this working for, like, Guitar Hero or Singstar. Maybe Sony is launching a music game?

I could actually see something like this working quite well if implemented into streaming services where streamers allow fans and other players a chance to play with them. Not only would it be a boon to the services and streamers, but would also give lesser known streamers a chance to be seen as well.

It's not about what it looks like from the outside, but picking things apart and looking at them from a different perspective.

If it has nothing to do with what I said above though then I'm pretty confused.. lol.

That idea is still pretty bad ass if that is what it is though.

The patent system is hopelessly broken.

Monetizing dogpilling, nice.

Sure this won't be exploited by 4chan.

GT sport is a sony game so xbox fans thinks it is a movie game.

all sonys games are movie games remember.

@davillain- said:

@gym_lion said:

Spectators will have to wear a outfit though

Fall Guys already did it first😉

Call me crazy but I am seeing the similarities with the Playstation button icons. All it needs is an X