Sony leads the worldwide gaming giants when it comes to submitting for patents across the globe, in keeping with a examine by Anaqua’s AcclaimIP patent search and analytics software program.
Anaqua stated world gaming giants, significantly Sony Interactive Leisure, have emerged as main gamers in patent filings, fueling innovation throughout a number of sides of gaming.
Actually, Sony filed over 5 instances the variety of patents as its closest rivals final 12 months, with 117 patent purposes. Firms like Activision and Digital Arts (EA) path with 22 and 21 purposes, respectively.
Khyle Eaton, senior supervisor for IP Counsel at Anaqua, stated in a weblog publish that the important thing areas driving the online game trade ahead are cell and hand-held units, streaming and latency applied sciences, and cybersecurity measures. This patent exercise is a transparent reflection of the path through which the gaming trade is shifting – in the direction of moveable, seamless, and safer gaming experiences, Eaton stated.
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The evolving panorama
Cell and hand-held gaming has just lately emerged as the most well-liked phase of the trade. Final 12 months alone, the worldwide cell gaming market generated $184 billion in income (in keeping with market researcher Newzoo), underscoring its super progress over the previous decade.
Anaqua checked out cell and hand-held gaming-related patent filings from 2001 to 2024. Whereas
the chart contains knowledge for 2021 and past, it’s essential to notice a brief decline in patent
illustration, as filings have but to be made public. Nevertheless, the numbers as much as 2021 spotlight the progressive momentum driving this sector.
Spine patent
This rise in recognition is fueled by a number of components. First, cell gaming provides a excessive degree of variety. Gamers can swap between aggressive first-person shooters, enjoyable puzzle video games, and digital poker tournaments – all from the identical gadget. The accessibility of smartphones has additionally performed a pivotal function, with reasonably priced units like Samsung’s gaming-friendly smartphones bringing high-quality gaming to the lots, Anaqua stated.
Moreover, the growth of 5G networks has created new potentialities in cell gaming, enabling seamless connectivity and lowering latency points. Anaqua’s annual patent report discovered the U.S. granted 55,263 5G-related patents in 2023, up 3% 12 months over 12 months. This improved infrastructure has paved the best way for world aggressive gaming on cell units, with esports leagues just like the Conflict Royale League and Name of Obligation Cell Championship gaining traction, Anaqua stated.
Latest patents showcase the continued evolution of cell gaming {hardware}. Hand-held consoles just like the Steam Deck and controllers such because the Spine are additional blurring the traces between conventional console gaming and cell experiences. Sony’s PlayStation Portal is one other instance, providing gamers the power to proceed gaming on the go with out sacrificing the standard of the console expertise.
Streaming and latency patents
As gaming has moved in the direction of cell and cross-platform play, streaming applied sciences and latency discount have develop into more and more essential. That is essential for the rising pattern of cloud gaming, the place efficiency hinges on low-latency connections.
Patents on this house are aimed toward bettering the efficiency of video games throughout numerous platforms, together with VR headsets, good TVs, and consoles. These improvements are important for lowering lag and
guaranteeing easy gameplay, significantly for streamed and multiplayer video games, Anaqua stated.
For instance, Sony’s patented system (JP2024111022 A) adjusts video encoding in real-time based mostly on a
participant’s web bandwidth, optimizing cloud gaming efficiency. Likewise, AT&T’s methodology (US20240216800 A1) streamlines sport transitions by downloading important content material whereas eradicating pointless knowledge, serving to to cut back interrupted gameplay. These improvements in streaming are essential to delivering high-quality gaming experiences with out counting on highly effective native {hardware}, Anaqua stated.
As extra firms file patents in these areas, competitors will develop into much more intense, with giants like Sony, Tencent, Amazon, and Microsoft main the cost in latency and streaming expertise. The way forward for gaming, significantly cloud-based and VR gaming, is being formed by these improvements, Anaqua stated.
Patents aimed toward stopping cyberbullying
Gaming will be an immersive and constructive expertise, however additionally it is susceptible to adverse components, corresponding to cyberbullying, Anaqua stated. With 70% of youths below the age of 18 taking part in video video games, and 65% of all gamers partaking in multiplayer video games, the danger of on-line harassment is prevalent.
The commonest type of on-line harassment entails offensive name-calling, which surged in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as video gaming, significantly multiplayer video games, noticed a pointy enhance in exercise. To deal with this situation, firms like Sony Interactive are submitting patents aimed toward combating cyberbullying inside gaming communities. For instance, Sony’s patent (US20240017177 A1) introduces a system that flags disruptive habits throughout gameplay and notifies moderators with video clips for overview.
Main builders like Riot Video games and Ubisoft are additionally engaged on AI-driven instruments to detect dangerous behaviors in real-time, with initiatives like Zero Hurt in Comms utilizing AI to investigate in-game communications for indicators of harassment.
