Sony has been filing many patents lately, and they have been giving us a lot of information on what we can expect from their next-gen VR platform. But, instead of giving us a look at the immersive worlds the tech can build with games such as Moss, this latest filing by Sony is looking at bringing some more AR elements to the platform.
Commonplace for Sony patents, the latest introduction of an AR space into PlayStation VR also comes with some new features, including an especially interactive UI.
This may mean that Sony is looking to add a new personality to their VR platform, and including the added benefit of enabling developers to add a personal touch to future AR experiences.
One feature stands out from the rest in this list, as it mentions a virtual character. It also discusses designing a way for the devices to show this character shift from an onscreen display to walking directly within the play area.
This means Sony isn’t looking at just putting players into the game, but get the games off the screen and into reality. The first use of this feature seems to already be in development within the patent. A virtual assistant is an early design for a character that may move off-screen to interact with the player.
This isn’t new territory for AR; many mobile games already use the device’s cameras to overlay objects onto real-world images. But this patent takes it a step further. Some details mentioned in the filing suggest that the device will be able to recreate the play area in 3D, allowing the virtual character to better interact with and travel within the space.
Given that there are already rumors that the new PS VR will feature gaze tracking, this new tech could create some fantastic simulations with the AI assistant.
As we learn more about PS VR 2, we understand that this platform will be a massive leap from the original PS VR. Given the numerous barriers of entry still faced by VR for PlayStation and PC alike, bridging the gap to AR might be precisely what the platform needs.
Of course, all of this is still speculation, but it may help push VR on the PS5 into the mainstream if it’s true.
About Sony
Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo. The company operates as one of the most comprehensive media companies on the planet and also holds the distinctions of being the largest video game console company and the second largest video game publisher in the world.
Its gaming and network services arm Sony Interactive Entertainment (formerly Sony Computer Entertainment) is best known for producing the popular line of PlayStation consoles.
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