The PS5’s uber-fast SSD has all but eliminated loading screens, but there are still times when you need to wait around in games, like when matchmaking with other players.
As spotted by MP1st, a new document filed by PlayStation on 21st May promises to make those windows more interesting, by implementing picture-in-picture technology.
The idea here is to show relevant content during pauses in gameplay, like when you’re waiting for lobbies to populate, for example.
The examples listed include gameplay highlights, social media clips, or even AI-powered scouting reports – but it also mentions ads.
And this is the big worry for me: console makers are constantly looking for new profit vectors, and injecting ads during pauses in gameplay sounds like something that could genuinely happen.
The patent even mentions ads could feature interactive elements, so I could totally imagine Domino’s Pizza or McDonalds appearing, with links to food delivery services.
Perhaps I’m being too cynical here, and the other possibilities, like gameplay highlights, will take priority. But I’ve been covering this industry for long enough now to know how these things usually go.
The good news is that these patents rarely see the light of day, so this is probably just another experiment that will never come to fruition.
But what do you think about this prospect? Do you like the idea of Sony potentially filling the downtime during your gameplay? Or are you worried where this could all lead? Let us know below.
