Sony recently filed a patent that could bring innovative AR gaming to the forefront of the PlayStation brand. Described as a device capable of producing “video using synthesized input from multiple cameras,” this new patent may serve as an offshoot of the PSVR 2, which is currently slated to release in February 2023. The application for this new AR approach doesn’t appear to be obvious at the moment, but it seems to borrow from the multi-camera tracking systems used in early VR devices.
While AR gaming has mostly been relegated to the realm of certain mobile titles and a few boundary-pushing Nintendo 3DS outings, Sony has apparently dabbled in it before. In 2021, the company filed a patent that describes a kind of personal assistant to be implemented with the PSVR 2. The patent made mention of technologies like eye tracking and virtual scans of the user’s real-world play space to further integrate the AR assistant, and, given that Sony has once again expressed interest in AR gaming, it seems that something of that nature could manifest in the not-too-distant future.
This recent patent more specifically describes an AR play space mapped by multiple cameras from which a player, wearing a kind of head-mounted device that’s likely intended to represent the PSVR 2, can customize their view. In short, it seems like a method that would allow a player to view themselves in third person. Strange as it seems, this may well blossom into an innovative new take on gaming. PlayStation is the only major home console line to offer significant support for VR, and this suggests that Sony’s interest in VR and AR gaming isn’t likely to diminish anytime soon.
Of course, that’s not to say that this unusual multi-camera system will necessarily come to fruition; most major companies file patents without express interest in utilizing them. In 2016, Sony filed a patent for a VR gaming glove, but, thus far, nothing has ever come of it. Additionally, in 2021, a patent very similar to its most recent one was filed which described a camera and microphone system meant to track certain gestures and sounds from players similar to the Xbox Kinect. While something like this may be implemented in the future, for now, technologies like these have yet to be implemented.
Innovative new camera system notwithstanding, the PSVR 2 still looks to be a great new step in the world of VR gaming. With a new headset, totally revamped controllers, and a slew of promising titles set for release in 2023, it’s definitely a great time for Sony fans to get into VR and AR gaming.