Sony has patented a brand-new system that could finally solve the issue of pausing while playing multiplayer games. Each year, Sony files fresh PlayStation patents that improve gameplay as well as the platform experience for players. These patents also give us an idea of what the company might bring to the table with future consoles and updates.
Sony has begun 2026 by obtaining a number of different patents for PlayStation that each offer something unique. These include a Sony patent for its PlayStation controllers that gets rid of traditional physical inputs altogether and replaces them with touchscreens and additional sensors that can detect finger positions, swipes, and other inputs. Not only that, but Sony has also patented a system that would allow the company to make use of LLM-based AI technology to generate podcasts featuring news and updates centered around game players enjoy. However, the company has patented another system that could completely fix the issue of pausing while playing multiplayer games.
Sony Working on PlayStation Controller With Unique Feature
A recent patent publication reveals an unexpected PlayStation controller development, giving fans an insight into Sony’s research.
Sony’s New Patent Could Soft-Pause Multiplayer Games
Sony has secured a brand-new patent (spotted by Respawn Index) that functions like a “soft pause.” What this means is that when a game is paused, the system will keep the game running at reduced intensity. The game won’t freeze in the normal way, where everything comes to a halt. The benefit of this Sony feature will be that players will have lower in-game difficulty, reduced noise, and other gameplay changes to make things easier while taking a break. There will be multiple ways for players to activate the soft pause feature, which will include things like pressing a specific button.
The Sony patent also mentions an AI version of the soft pause feature. The way this is supposed to work, in theory, is that if a payer receives a notification, the system will detect it and automatically soft-pause the game. This would allow players to deal with the notification instead of diverting their attention to the game. As of now, there’s still no confirmed release date or timeline as to when Sony will implement this PlayStation patent into its consoles. However, we could see it arriving with PlayStation 6, which is supposed to be Sony’s next major hardware release.
In the last couple of years, multiplayer gaming has reached new highs with tons of live-service games in which players can play with others around the globe. However, one problem that affects these games is the fact that they can’t be paused while playing. For example, if a player decides to pause a match during a round of Fortnite, it’s likely that they will be instantly eliminated. Unlike single-player games, there’s no way to stop progress and jump back into the game where it was left off. Players have been hoping to see a fix or a feature for this issue for quite a while now, and it seems like Sony has heard their calls.
Drag weapons to fill the grid
Drag weapons to fill the grid
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If Sony’s patent rolls out, it would mean that players would no longer need to exit matches or get kicked out of online play if they decide to take a break. This would also not ruin the flow of matches in shooter games like Marathon, in which missing a player could totally ruin the gameplay for the rest of the team. However, players need to keep their expectations in check, as patents like these can always change, and there’s a chance Sony might abandon the system. Nevertheless, it’s still great to see that PlayStation is exploring new ways to improve the player experience.
Source: Respawn Index
