Sony has patented an artificial intelligence system capable of matching players for co-op matches, taking into account significantly more information than traditional game ratings and statistics. The patent was published on September 10 and describes technology potentially intended for devices and services within the company's ecosystem, including PlayStation.
According to the document, the system analyzes two types of data. The first is explicit information that the user provides themselves: preferred games and genres, desired type of gaming partners, and other profile parameters. Such information can be collected when creating a profile or immediately before starting a game.
The second type is implicit data that the system can collect from various services within the Sony ecosystem. The patent mentions time spent in certain games, skill level, shopping cart information, social media data, and user search history as possible sources.
In certain implementations, Sony also considers using biometric data, chat information, and audio data.
The player's profile must be constantly updated. The user will be able to change it independently, and the system will also offer to update settings at certain intervals or when preferences change. A feedback mechanism is also provided, thanks to which the compatibility profile should adapt to changes in player behavior.
The patent also describes a special menu with recommended partners who exceed a given compatibility threshold. Examples include scores of 80%, 85%, and 90%. When matching, not only similarities between players are taken into account, but also complementary skills. For example, the system might try to combine a strong support player with suitable tank and duelist to form a more balanced team.