Ever since video games have been a thing, players have always sought the help of others to overcome difficult segments. While how they seek help has changed a lot over the years, moving from guides published in magazines to online walkthroughs and videos, the need for guidance for particularly challenging segments is as strong as it has ever been.
In the future, however, there could be a massive change in how players receive their much-needed help, judging from a patent filed by Microsoft detailing a cloud-based Xbox system to let human or AI helpers take over temporarily.
As spotted by Tech4Gamers, the "State Management for Video Game Help Sessions" patent describes a process where control of a game is temporarily transferred from the player to a helper. This would allow a pre-approved human player or a trained AI model to guide the player through a frustrating segment, such as a difficult boss fight or a complex puzzle, before handing control back once the segment has been completed, allowing players to receive help without having to leave the game to check online guides. Interestingly enough, the patent also covers other use cases, such as in racing games where control would be given to another player or an AI model on difficult tracks before returning it to the player.
According to the filing, this system is being developed as Microsoft believes current methods of seeking help are "rather rudimentary" and indirect, forcing players to leave a game session to find help.
Other connected patents also detail other critical elements of this new Xbox feature, such as ensuring age-appropriate pairing between player and helper, Achievement integrity that will allow users to unlock them even if assisted, and input governance that should prevent a remote user from performing unauthorized actions like deleting save files or spending in-game currency.
As this new Xbox tech is still in the patent stage, there's no guarantee it will ever be implemented, but considering Sony not only started implementing more player assistance with the PS5 with Game Help but also filed a patent recently for a similar system, it's clear how console manufacturers are moving towards AI-powered game assistence to provide help for players in seamless fashion, possibly offering a technologically advanced method to push beyond the hated yellow paint?
Would such a feature see widespread use if implemented? Hard to say at this point. While it is true that some games can get frustrating, much of the joy of gaming comes with accomplishing certain tasks and overcoming challenges, and not having someone else do it for them, so it wouldn't be surprising to see most hardcore gamers push back against this feature to continue overcoming gaming frustration themselves.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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