A newly published patent from PlayStation reveals that Sony is exploring new ways to improve how gamers can manage their friends on PlayStation consoles. Playing with friends is a large part of the games industry, so it would make sense that PlayStation would want to make it as easy as possible to do so as gamers make the jump to the next generation of consoles.

There have been quite a few patents from PlayStation being published lately that could indicate some of the future features headed to the PlayStation 5 or second iteration of the PlayStation VR headset. The patents largely show some interesting concepts and ideas that could greatly ease the player experience on PlayStation and give more players access to the platform.

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This newest patent focuses on two aspects of PlayStation's account and friend management. Firstly, it examines options to ease the process of transferring one's account to a friend's PlayStation console, which aligns well with PlayStation's recent push to increase accessibility options. The patent looks at options to allow PlayStation consoles to temporarily access a player's profile without the player having to fully sign in with an e-mail and password. It looks at a variety of options such as players being able to link their account with another device, such as a cell phone that the console could connect to and quickly import the account or by accessing the player's original PlayStation over the internet to import the account.

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The patent also shows mock-ups of various possible settings that would allow players to customize how they are recommended friends as well as how much information is displayed to them. The settings include options like only loading part of one's account when it is logged into a secondary console, logging players in using biometrics, or adjusting what friends are suggested based on Age, Gender, or Common Interests. The patents looks as though it could let players better personalize their recommendations on the platform, which is something that PlayStation's recent patents definitely seem interested in.

The patent was published just ahead of PlayStation's announcement of its large new partnership with Discord, so it will be interesting to see if the Discord integration modifies the possibilities outlined in the patent. Of course, as it is just a patent, it is possible that nothing will ever come of it, but with how much the ideas in the patent could improve the user experience on PlayStation, it seems likely that something will come of it. Of course, the Discord integration is expected sometime early next year, so players will not have too much longer to wait.

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Source: WIPO