Summary
- Sony has patented a software system that provides haptic feedback and accessibility overlays for hearing impaired players in order to improve game immersion.
- The software detects player responses and provides supplementary effects to evoke the intended reaction, such as haptic feedback for audio cues that hearing impaired players may not respond to.
- While these patents showcase Sony's efforts to make gaming more accessible, it's important to note that not all patents lead to an actual product, so there is no guarantee that these features will be released.
According to two recently published patents, Sony is working on a new haptic feedback and accessibility overlay system that would help to improve game immersion for hearing impaired players. In recent months, multiple new patents from Sony have revealed the company's in-development projects, granting fans a look behind the scenes at Sony's R&D efforts.
One of the largest global technology companies, Sony provides products and services across a variety of electronics markets and entertainment industries, ranging from televisions to headphones to video games. The company's flagship PlayStation console line has seen a number of improvements over the years, and Sony continues to work on improving gaming hardware and software for its audiences.
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Two newly published patents reveal efforts by Sony to develop software that would provide haptic feedback and accessibility overlays to assist hearing impaired players. The software aims to detect "user sentiment," or player responses, and provide supplementary effects to evoke the intended player response. If an audio cue is utilized to encourage a player to act in a particular manner, this software would detect a lack of response by a hearing impaired player, and instead provide a haptic feedback effect to evoke the proper reaction and ensure accessibility through immersion. Other recent patents have revealed that Sony is working to make gaming more accessible with both hardware and software projects. However, it is key to note that companies frequently file patents that are never brought to fruition, so there is no guarantee that the haptic feedback and accessibility overlay features will be made available to consumers.
Sony Haptic Feedback and Accessibility Overlay Patent Details
These software systems would utilize live response processing to determine if players are reacting to in-game effects. In the event that a player does not react, the haptic feedback and accessibility overlays would be triggered and implemented. For example, an action game may utilize audio cues to inform a player that an explosion has happened. Since a hearing impaired player would likely not respond to the cue, such as not swinging the camera around or having their character start running, the Sony system would observe a lack of player reaction and implement the haptic feedback and accessibility overlay. The haptic feedback would get the player's immediate attention and encourage a reaction, while the accessibility overlay would provide visual support, such as closed captioning for audio effects. Similar accessibility developments by Sony have been published, though none have yet been made available.
By providing supplementary support for impaired players, Sony would be able to ensure greater accessibility across all games on its platform, though there is currently no confirmation that this system will be finalized and made available to the public. Accessibility in video games remains a core focus for many consumers, and it is encouraging to see a prominent company like Sony actively working on and researching better options to support all of its players.