Sony has filed a new patent that imagines a radically different way players could get help during difficult moments in games. Dubbed an “AI ghost,” the concept describes real-time, data-trained non-player characters (NPCs) that can observe how you play, step in when you struggle, and even take over controls to demonstrate how to clear a boss fight or solve a puzzle.
The idea, first spotted by Boing Boing, pushes well beyond today’s static tutorials and hint systems, and signals how Sony is thinking about the future of AI-driven gameplay on PlayStation.
What Sony’s AI Ghost Is Designed to Do
According to the patent, AI ghosts would be generated using machine learning models trained on thousands of hours of gameplay footage, pulled from livestreams, social media clips, and YouTube videos. Instead of relying on pre-scripted hints, these ghosts would learn from how real players overcome challenges.
In practice, this means an AI ghost could appear when a player repeatedly fails a section—say, a boss with complex attack patterns—and offer assistance in real time. That help could range from subtle guidance, such as showing recommended button inputs, to temporarily taking control and executing the correct moves.
Unlike traditional tutorials that interrupt gameplay, the AI ghost is designed to operate inside the live game session, adapting to the player’s skill level, timing, and decision-making.
Personalized, Interactive Tutorials
Sony frames the AI ghost as a way to make tutorials more personalized and interactive. Players could choose how much help they want, from minimal prompts to full demonstrations. The system could also evolve as you play, learning your habits and adjusting its guidance accordingly.
The patent goes further, suggesting that the AI could track contextual signals—such as player behavior patterns, eye movement data, or input timing—to better understand when and how to intervene. With additional data pulled from centralized servers, the ghost would continuously improve, learning new strategies as players around the world discover them.
Accessibility as a Key Use Case
One of the strongest arguments in favor of the AI ghost is accessibility. Not every player enjoys—or is able—to brute-force their way through punishing difficulty spikes. For newcomers to gaming, or players with physical or cognitive disabilities, real-time assistance could dramatically lower the barrier to entry.
Rather than searching for external walkthroughs or “cheese” strategies for games like Elden Ring, Silent Hill, or Resident Evil, players could receive contextual help without ever leaving the game. Sony positions this as an evolution of existing PlayStation features, such as PS5’s Game Help, but with AI taking on a far more active role.
Concerns Around Privacy and Player Agency
Despite its potential, the AI ghost concept raises significant concerns. Training models on player-generated content, tracking in-game behavior, and potentially monitoring eye movements introduces new questions around privacy and consent—especially if such systems become default features.
There is also a philosophical debate at play. For many players, the satisfaction of games comes from learning through failure. Critics argue that algorithmic hand-holding could dilute the emotional payoff of finally beating a tough boss after dozens of attempts.
If an AI can step in and solve a challenge for you, does victory still feel earned?
Artistic Integrity and Creative Control
The patent also arrives amid broader unease about Sony’s direction with AI moderation and control. Just last month, the company filed another patent describing real-time content censorship in games, including blurring gore, muting profanity, or altering dialogue based on player age or parental settings.
Many players viewed that proposal as an intrusion on artistic intent. In that context, the AI ghost raises similar fears: that algorithmic systems could reshape how games are experienced in ways developers—and players—did not originally intend.
A Glimpse, Not a Guarantee
It’s important to note that patents do not equal products. Sony has not confirmed that AI ghosts will appear in future PlayStation titles, or whether the idea will ever move beyond research. But the filing offers a revealing glimpse into how the company is thinking about AI as more than just backend optimization.
If implemented thoughtfully, AI ghosts could redefine accessibility and learning in games. If overused, they risk turning moments of struggle—and triumph—into automated checklists.
