PlayStation VR: a Sony patent turns virtual reality into a "sport"

A new patent filed by Sony showcases a new technology that will allow viewers to participate in specific content in virtual reality. As reported by IGN, the project "Integrating Audience Participation Content into Virtual Reality Content”Was presented by the giant PlayStation last October, but was shown to the public for the first time yesterday Thursday 28 January. According to what this new patent reveals, it seems that Sony could transform the virtual reality of PlayStation VR in a kind of spectator sport.

This patent, which literally can be translated as "Integration of audience participation content into virtual reality content“, Should provide a system in which the person wearing the peripheral PlayStation VR it can be helped or hindered by other people who interact with the game through the "spectator devices". This last point could refer to controllers Dualense/DualShock or to mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. The example in the patent sees viewers choosing the type of weapon to give to the player in the game, choosing from a sword, monster or ladle. Depending on how “mischievous” the spectators are, the player could enter a virtual reality battle by relying on a ladle to defend himself. This looks very similar to Mix Play, which allowed viewers to have an impact on the games streamers on the service were playing mixer di Microsoft products.

However, it should be emphasized that patents are not produced; these are simply ideas that companies have had and want to "block" so that others don't use them for them. In other words, such a project may never see the light. Sony launched PlayStation VR in 2016 and games like Hitman 3, released recently, still support this technology, a sign that the device has proved a success for the company.