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- Sony has published a new patent that aims to replace traditional devkits to simplify console game development for gaming studios.
- It proposes a PCIe card containing the console’s core hardware that can be plugged into a PC or server as a development kit.
- A special chip, the endpoint management bridge, handles communication between the host and the card.
Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles have had exclusive hardware that sets them apart from regular PCs. Hence, developing games for these different ecosystems has always been a pain for studios over the years, but Sony may finally have a solution for this dilemma.
We have found multiple new patents published by Sony that aim to simplify how games are developed for consoles while preserving their proprietary nature in the process. Sony wants to convert the traditional devkits into small PCIe cards that serve the same purpose.
The company proposes PCIe cards with core console hardware to replace scarce devkits for game development. These PCIe cards can fit into regular PCs and servers to convert them into devkits instead.
A console compute card [PCIe Card] for installation in a host system is provided. […] Wherein the console compute card includes compute resources substantially similar to compute resources of a retail game console.
Why it matters: Sony aims to preserve the exclusive nature of its console while making it easier for developers to create games for it. So, studios could soon utilize a PCIe card that can replace the traditional, bulky devkits currently in use.
The patent, dubbed ‘GAME CONSOLE ENDPOINT MANAGEMENT BRIDGE FOR LOCAL SYSTEM GAME DEVELOPMENT,’ also talks about using a special chip called the endpoint management bridge to manage communication between a host PC or server and the PCIe card.
Sony argues that console exclusivity complicates game development, and specialized devkits aren’t easily adapted for cloud use. So, it proposes using these console PCIe cards instead.
The game console must be adapted in various ways to accommodate the needs of game developers, or additional specialized hardware [currently] must be created to enable game development.
These PCIe cards can be used to create efficient devkit servers that can be accessed remotely over the internet or serve as local workstations for direct console game development.
Sony has also posted a series of other interesting patents in the past, including one that discusses an innovative dustproof console design likely for the PlayStation 6, and another one that aims to reduce the overall size of AAA games by changing the way textures are handled.
Do you think Sony’s patent could completely change the way console game development works and replace devkits entirely in the future? 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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