Sony Patents New NPC System That Replicates Your Playstyle

Summary

Sony’s new AI software generates NPC companions based on players’ gameplay styles for co-op gaming.
The patent requires consent to collect data from two players, ensuring NPC reflect player skill and style.
Sony’s AI software aims to make multiplayer gaming more accessible by offering solo players AI teammates.

According to a recently published patent, Sony is working on a machine-learning artificial intelligence software program that collects data from multiplayer gaming and replicates NPC companions that mirror the gameplay style of the individual players. There has been a growing interest in AI among video game companies, and this unique software system by Sony seeks to utilize consensual data collection to make it easier for solo players to enjoy co-op gaming.

While artificial intelligence remains a debated topic in the realm of creativity, machine-learning software programs have proven useful in video games for decades. Non-playable characters are often trained on AI systems, and advancements in these softwares have helped to add a greater depth to the user experience across a number of titles and platforms. Looking to put an assistive twist on the typical NPC AI programming, Sony has patented a software that could massively change the way gamers enjoy multiplayer releases.

Sony Patent Could Allow Players to Turn Their Replays Into Playable Mini-Games

A recently published patent reveals that Sony may be working on a program that would allow game replays to be turned into playable mini-games.

Originally filed back in August 2023 and publicly published on March 6, 2025, Sony has developed a “generative nonplayer character” program that would use AI training to replicate NPCs that mimic the playstyle of real gamers. The patent details a system in which players consent to having their gameplay data processed by a training model, which is used to generate an NPC teammate. This NPC could then be used either in place of or in addition to other human players. As such, multiplayer gaming could become more accessible to players who prefer to avoid joining squads or teams with unknown users and instead want to team with a mimic of their friends. While this could open up a number of opportunities for online multiplayer video games, there is currently no guarantee that Sony intends to fully develop and launch this software.

Sony AI-Generated Nonplayer Character Software Patent Details

As detailed in the patent, a minimum of two players would be needed to gather the appropriate data for generating this NPC, and that data would be combined with pre-determined weighted metrics to ensure the AI character follows both the playstyle and skill level of the data input players. These generated NPCs could then be used for multiplayer gaming by a solo player. Rather than having to wait for friends to be available, a single player could use the system-trained AI teammates to enjoy a co-op game completely on their own. Once a human player is able to join, they could either replace the generated NPC or join both the AI teammate and other human player for a larger, cohesive group. Whether this or any other Sony video game software patents will be made available to users remains to be seen, but it does give players an insight into the company’s AI research efforts.

In spite of some reservations among audiences towards certain artificial intelligence implementations in gaming, there are a number of ways in which machine-learning has been used to improve accessibility in video games. Interested players can stay tuned for any potential updates on the Sony generative NPC software and other promising developments in the industry.