PlayStation patent would train an AI profile to take over your games if you need a break

A new PlayStation patent lays out a concept for an AI that could be trained to play games by watching your play style, then take over if you're having trouble or just need a break.

[Kaii]

"The patent details a system which would create a default play profile for each user, then customize that profile by observing how each user plays across multiple games."

This is awesome, I'd love to 1vs1 my own playstyle and change it up each time

[Michiel1989]

this is far away from realization. You could look at how Dota 2 worked together with I think the company was called OpenAI or at least the bots were called that, not sure about the company. They let the bots train in simulation for a ridiculous amount of time, i would like to say it was 2000 years or something, sped up ofcourse. They actually managed to beat the best pro players in mid 1v1 and even in 5v5 as well. It was actually amazing to see how spot on perfect the AI was with its mechanics.

It had flaws though, since they only allowed the bots to train with and against a limited hero pool and there were ways to cheese it since they had trained for years vs other self learning AI and not vs real players. Still very amazed how they managed to pull it of though. Interesting stuff to look at since this is by far the most advanced way it has been implemented in games so far.

let alone doing this across multiple games, thats just not gonna happen before we die ;)

[GameSetMatch]

Bro, AI is being developed at such speed that we are going to see some serious advancements before we hit 2030.

[itsmebryan]

This is something like the "drivavatar " that Fora has been using when you are not playing. But, I don't understand why you would want a game to play for you when you are there? I want to play my games not watch it play by itself. That's just watching TV.

[stupidusername]

I imagine that this could be useful if you got disabilities and need help with certain parts.

[SullysCigar]

Personally, I love JRPGs, but don't have time anymore to enjoy them thanks to the amount of grinding some entail. If this could give me the option of help, I'd probably take it sometimes.

I get the apprehension, but it's a bit like using a walk through or tips/cheats; to some it defeats the object of gaming, but to others they couldn't play otherwise.

[Jin_Sakai]

People acting like it’s going to play the entire game for you. The AI could take over if you need to take a bathroom break, have a disability, or help out if you’re having trouble beating a certain boss.

I definitely could see instances where it could be helpful.

[itsmebryan]

But, I could play the whole game . I can understand it lower the difficulty to get past a hard part. But, playing for you while you're there I don't get it.

[Rebel_Scum]

Terrible idea unless you can train it for grinding. It might make getting all the weapons in Nier Replicant bearable.

[TheExecutioner]

Nonsense

[Rebel_Scum]

Please explain because a one worded response doesn't encourage discussion.

[Duke19]

A game that plays itself! Yeah this just seems like a silly idea to me. If people are viewing it only as a way to "get around" aspects of the game (be that difficulty or grinding, etc) - then I think the game itself should just be made more accessible. (or add a "skip" type button).

[NotoriousWhiz]

I think grinding is a great idea for AI. Would definitely make random encounters in JRPGs far more manageable.

[Rebel_Scum]

Couldnt agree more. I was just merely thing of one application where it could make sense.

[SullysCigar]

I immediately thought of grinding too. I just don't have time anymore and this means I could play games I'd otherwise have to skip.

[glennhkboy]

Isn't this already exist in PC & mobile games? If game bot can play all by itself, what's the point of even playing?????

[AirRevenant]

I don't know, I'd be on board if this thing could dodge lightning a hundred times in a row for me in final fantasy 10...

[CrimsonWing69]

I guess it’d be good for mindless grinding

[Germaximus]

Exactly. I've tried games like this in the past. There's a Final Fantasy one that plays itself as well. They have cool visuals and interesting gameplay but the fact that they play themselves makes me just not even bother booting it up.

[anast]

I think it would be more nuanced than that, but I see your point.

[wwinterj]

It seems odd that some folk want games to play themselves.

[garos82]

That is
fantastic of them to include a game "journalist" mode. Now the whiny babies can sit back and take their whole playthrough breaks and complain solely on the sexual preferences of totally made up characters

[johndoe11211]

Extremely underrated comment.

[Profchaos]

If I could have had an ai complete the grind.that was the rdr2 platnuim I'd go for it and it could hunt, fish and pick herbs all day for me.

Instead I spent 200 hours doing it and strangely enjoyed it

[anast]

RDR2 is such a good game.

[Mulando]

Are, more consumer-watching and gathering data is what we really need .....

oh I thing I forgot to add the "not".

[Germaximus]

If you need a break stop playing. Holy hell this crap is so stupid.

[DJStotty]

Exactly, a patent devised to take all the fun out of games, thought Sony were "for the players" when they are creating things so the player can stop playing, but still play the game.

[Nacho_Z]

Giving players options is a good thing. This isn't for me but it's just another option.

[glennhkboy]

@Aquafiniac The points you mentioned are all about the game design. if a game is boring to the point that you need a bot to do the grinding or "boring side quest" than it will be the problem of the game. If the player does not enjoy those parts, why bother to get that game in the first place?

[DJStotty]

I have got to say, this is a feature i would probably never use, when i want a break from a game i either :-

1) pause the game
2) watch a movie/tv
3) turn the console off

I do not see why i would require an AI to carry on playing if i wanted to take a break, especially in any game story related.

"The patent points out that this would be useful for players who can't finish a certain spot on their own"

Oh my lord, get better at the game maybe? gamers do not need their hands holding through games, they get better with practice. If there is a spot i can not complete, that is the whole point of having a difficulty level. Takes all the accomplishment out of achievements/trophies, they are meant to represent personal achievements.

[NotoriousWhiz]

I mean have you never had a friend finish a section for you because it was too hard? This is the same thing, but remove the friend. Seeing as I'm the friend, I could go with or without but I'm okay with those less skilled having an easier way to get through a tough section.

[DJStotty]

@NotoriousWhiz

"I mean have you never had a friend finish a section for you because it was too hard. This is the same thing, but remove the friend.?"

No, asking a friend to get you past somewhere is not the same as training a bot to play the game for you. What is the point in playing a game, if you remove the difficulty level, because you will not allow yourself to improve to the point where you can get past said "tough part"?

No game is that difficult where you need AI to progress, even Dark Souls is not that difficult.

[Omegasyde]

“Chinese gold farming” could be making a come back.

But in reality I don’t think this will make a big wave since you could always just buy a shortcut for resources ala Ubisoft/Ea method or pay someone to takeover your play session.

[Magog]

Reminds me of the B-SPEC mode in Gran Turismo.

[Rainbowcookie]

News headline: Sony A.I rage quit after playing one of the Soulsborne games.

[jznrpg]

I would only use this for grinding . That’s it and maybe not even then I’m not sure .

[BrainSyphoned]

So I can be a bot in ESO as well.

[Skuletor]

Pathetic

It would be funny if it learned your play style and then failed at the same points you did :)

[Furesis]

This could be cool in a fighting game. Fight against an A.I. that plays like you and then learn from that and improve etc. Maybe we could finally have good A.I. in fighting games rather than a input reading scummy CPU.

[ScootaKuH]

Well that's pointless isn't it? What's the point of gaming if you have an AI do it for you?

[strayanalog]

So, basically, this would make a cinematic game an actual movie that you paid $70 for.

[DaveZero]

That's just lazy.

[Tedakin]

How about just use the pause button?

[iplay1up2]

Other than grinding for things, I would not use this.

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

...what is the point of this? I don't spend all this money on consoles and games and such to have some AI play for me.

[QuePasa87]

No thanks