Sony’s AI Ghost Could Replace Players: Is Gaming About to Change?

Sony is exploring a new way to help players overcome frustrating moments in modern video games through a patented feature often referred to as an “AI Ghost”. 

According to multiple reports, the company has filed a patent for an AI-driven system that can either guide players through difficult sections of a game or temporarily take control and complete those sections on their behalf (Yahoo Tech; Mandatory; PC Gamer). As games continue to grow more complex and time-intensive, Sony’s proposal highlights a broader shift in how accessibility and player assistance might evolve within the gaming industry.

The patent, originally filed in September 2024 and made public by the World Intellectual Property Organization in January 2026, outlines a system where players can summon an AI-controlled “ghost” character during gameplay (Yahoo Tech; Mandatory). This ghost would take the form of any playable character within the game itself. For example, a player stuck in God of War Ragnarök could call upon an AI-controlled version of Kratos to either demonstrate how to overcome a specific challenge or handle the gameplay directly. The intent is to keep players engaged rather than letting frustration drive them to abandon a game entirely.

Sony’s proposed system offers two primary modes of assistance. In “Guide” or “Combat” mode, the AI Ghost provides contextual advice and strategic suggestions tailored to the exact situation the player is facing. In “Complete” or “Full Game” mode, the AI Ghost can take over entirely, playing through a difficult segment or even finishing the game for the player if requested (Yahoo Tech; Mandatory). Rather than relying on pre-recorded scripts, the AI would be trained on gameplay data from existing titles, allowing it to respond dynamically to in-game scenarios.

The patent documentation explains Sony’s motivation clearly, noting that many players quit games because of their increasing complexity and difficulty. While players often turn to online walkthroughs or video guides, Sony argues that these solutions are time-consuming and frequently fail to match the player’s exact in-game circumstances (Yahoo Tech; Mandatory). By embedding assistance directly into gameplay, the AI Ghost aims to provide immediate, relevant support without forcing players to leave the game environment.

Additional details reported by PC Gamer suggest that the AI Ghost would use an in-game interface capable of accepting natural language queries, allowing players to explain where they are stuck. The ghost assistance could be generated using footage from other players’ gameplay, similar in spirit to the existing PlayStation 5 Game Help feature that surfaces relevant videos. However, this approach would be more seamless, presenting guidance or automated play directly within the game rather than redirecting players to external clips (PC Gamer).

Despite the technical ambition, reactions from the gaming community have been mixed. Some players view the idea as a helpful accessibility feature that removes unnecessary frustration, especially for notoriously tedious sections like stealth missions. Others argue that allowing an AI to play parts of a game undermines the challenge and sense of accomplishment that defines gaming culture. Critics have voiced concerns online about games “playing themselves,” while supporters counter that players have long relied on cheats, guides, and walkthroughs to progress. For now, Sony has not announced whether or when the AI Ghost feature will be implemented on PlayStation platforms, leaving its future firmly in the realm of possibility rather than promise (PC Gamer).

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Works Cited

“Sony Likely To Bring ‘AI Ghost’ To Help Struggling Gamers.” Yahoo Tech, https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/sony-likely-bring-ai-ghost-124013068.html.

“Sony Likely To Bring ‘AI Ghost’ To Help Struggling Gamers.” Mandatory, https://www.mandatory.com/news/1711428-sony-patents-ai-ghost-to-help-gamers.

Bailey, Andy. “Sony Patents AI-Powered ‘Ghost’ That Shows You How to Get Past Videogame Obstacles, and Can Even Play the Hard Bits for You.” PC Gamer, https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/sony-patents-ai-powered-ghost-that-shows-you-how-to-get-past-videogame-obstacles-and-can-even-play-the-hard-bits-for-you/.

“Sony Showcasing Product Updates at NAB 2023 Including Cloud, Virtual and Imaging.” NewscastStudio, 13 Apr. 2023,

www.newscaststudio.com/2023/04/13/sony-showcasing-product-updates-at-nab-2023-including-cloud-virtual-and-imaging/.

Ritchie, Dave. “Sony Patents AI Ghost Player for Real-Time Gaming Tutorials.” WebProNews, 30 Dec. 2025, www.webpronews.com/sony-patents-ai-ghost-player-for-real-time-gaming-tutorials/.