Microsoft has patented a system that allows an AI model – or another human player – to take control of a game when assistance is needed.
The patent details that players would be able to see the name and identity of the assisting party, along with a rating indicating their previous helpfulness. Microsoft is reportedly considering two options: utilizing another player from the Xbox community, or employing an artificial intelligence model.
While the assistant – whether human or AI – is controlling the game, the patent documentation indicates players will be able to chat with them for advice or to understand their actions and reasoning. This feature could be particularly useful when solutions involve complex or unclear steps. The concept bears similarities to the existing Copilot AI feature available within the Xbox app.
The patent also addresses the need to track who was in control when a specific achievement is unlocked, ensuring fair credit for accomplishments. It further highlights the importance of matching human assistants with players of similar age groups to avoid inappropriate situations, such as a child assisting someone through a particularly graphic scene in a mature-rated game like Resident Evil Requiem.
Other features outlined in the patent include the ability to halt assistance at any time, and the option to either continue from where the assistant left off or revert to the point where control was initially handed over.
The idea isn’t entirely new, as Sony has also patented a similar, albeit simpler, system that relies on a “ghost” AI player that users can follow within a game. As is common, both Microsoft and Sony file numerous game-related patents that may never arrive to fruition, but it will be interesting to see if this concept moves forward. This development underscores the growing exploration of AI assistance within the gaming industry.
Last month, Microsoft’s new gaming CEO, Asha Sharma, responded to concerns about her background in artificial intelligence, stating she has “zero tolerance for bad AI” as she begins her leadership of Xbox.
