- Microsoft discusses a cloud-based Xbox system to let human or AI helpers take over your games.
- These helpers can guide the player through segments, explain mechanics, and then return control.
- Microsoft says the current solutions to seek help are rudimentary.
While gaming, players still have to sift through online forums or watch videos to get the specific assistance they need. Microsoft appears to have made a major breakthrough in solving this issue.
We have found a series of new Microsoft patents that explore an innovative cloud-based Xbox system to let pre-approved human or AI helpers join your session on command and play games in your place.
These helpers can temporarily take over your gameplay and guide you through the segments, making for a dynamic assistance system that would no longer require players to leave the game to find help via external sources.
the help sessions can assist video game players in overcoming difficult in-game situations where they may tend to fail or otherwise become frustrated with the gaming experience.
Why it matters: Microsoft wants to introduce a new seamless and integrated way for gamers to receive help during gameplay, whether it’s through human helpers or AI models.
The patent called “STATE MANAGEMENT FOR VIDEO GAME HELP SESSIONS” describes multiple examples where a pop-up might ask a player to let a helper take over the gameplay for a while.
Imagine if a user were struggling to find a rare gem in an RPG; if allowed, the helper would take control from the player. They would proceed to chat and guide the user through the process of acquiring the gem.
Microsoft also discusses an example of a racing game in which the helper might assist the player in passing a difficult track. The session would be handed back to the player once the helper has provided assistance.
The publisher argues that current methods to seek help from other players are ‘rather rudimentary’ and indirect, leaving users frustrated with the experience.
Help sessions are implemented where control of a video game is temporarily transferred from a current gaming session of a current video game player to a help session. After the help session, control is transferred back to the current video game player,.
In addition to this document, which discusses the core features, the four additional patents cover various other aspects of the system.
One wants to ensure that players are paired with helpers in the same age range and experience only age-appropriate content. The second one talks about tracking achievements to record who earned them.
Likewise, the third document discusses which helper inputs should be passed through the system if the helper performs actions they’re not supposed to. The fourth patent is based on training machine learning models to serve as helpers instead.
Microsoft has previously secured many other wild patents, such as one that discusses movable and tunable haptic motors for Xbox controllers, and another one that points to Joy-Con like controllers for various devices.
Do you think it is a good idea for Microsoft to work on this Xbox system? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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