Sony patent reveals that PlayStation has been working on NFTs and blockchain technology

Sony patent reveals that PlayStation has been working on NFTs and blockchain technology. It has been working on developing a system to track digital assets in games and across platforms.

Image Credit: Playstation

According to a recently published patent, Sony Interactive Entertainment has been actively researching the use of NFTs and blockchain technology in games.

NFTs are non-interchangeable data units that are stored on a blockchain (a type of digital ledger) and allow users to buy and sell digital products such as in-game items or artwork.

The Sony patent (via Gamesual) is titled 'Tracking Unique In-Game Digital Assets Using Tokens on a Distributed Ledger' and was originally filed last year.

It describes a system that could be used to track the creation, use, modification, and transfer of digital assets created within a game, as well as assets created based on video game gameplay.

"Individuals frequently find it meaningful to own or use unique physical items related to respected celebrities or activities," according to the patent's background section. "For example, fans of skilled baseball player Babe Ruth, or of baseball in general, frequently seek to buy and own baseballs autographed by Ruth, baseballs hit by Ruth in a major league game, trading cards depicting Ruth, and the like."

Sony suggests that its system could be used to authenticate digital assets used by skilled players or popular content creators that other players may want to buy, sell, or rent.

"Skilled multiplayer video game players gain popularity in matches or tournaments, which are frequently live-streamed or otherwise broadcast to large audiences," it wrote. "Similarly, well-known players frequently live-stream or otherwise broadcast gameplay of single-player or multiplayer video games, such as speed-runs, in-game challenges, multiplayer matches, or other gameplay activities." Some players, particularly those who are particularly skilled or charismatic, can develop large followings of devoted fans, similar to the fan bases of famous athletes, singers, actors, or other celebrities.

"A player in some video games can use digital assets during gameplay. Specific characters, costumes, or items are examples of digital assets. Multiple instances of the same in-game item exist in the same copy of the video game and/or in different copies of the video game in traditional video games.

"Traditionally, these different instances of the same in-game item are fungible because they are indistinguishable from one another." For example, even if a specific in-game item is difficult to obtain in the video game, it is represented in the video game as a string of code that is identical to representations of other instances of the same in-game item in the same video game and/or in other copies of the same video game. As a result, in traditional video games, no digital asset is distinguishable from other instances of the same in-game item.

"As a result, there is no way to know, track, or authenticate a history of a specific instance of an in-game item in traditional video games." For example, in traditional video games, there is no way to distinguish between a specific instance of an in-game item used by a famous video game player to win a famous tournament and any other instance of the in-game item."

Sony stated that the systems and technologies described in its patent application could be used to track the lifecycle of digital assets across various hardware platforms, including those "of a different, albeit inferior manufacturer," and across titles from various publishers.

"The techniques and technologies described herein expand the capabilities of digital assets associated with video games, as well as systems that create and manage such digital assets, by converting digital assets associated with video games from fungible to non-fungible," it wrote.

"By tracking the history of digital assets, the techniques and technologies described herein expand the functionality of digital assets associated with video games, as well as systems that create and manage such digital assets."

"Tracking the history of digital assets can include tracking when, how, and by whom the digital asset was created, used, modified, rented to, rented by, sold to, purchased by, licensed to, licensed by, exchanged to, exchanged by, and/or other actions."

Sony recently introduced PlayStation Stars, a new loyalty program that allows players to earn digital rewards by completing various activities. It was quick, however, to distance the program from NFTs, which have been criticized in some quarters due to the format's high carbon footprint and what many perceive to be cynical implementation.

Grace Chen, PlayStation's vice president of network advertising, loyalty, and licensed merchandise, told The Washington Post, "It's definitely not NFTs." "Absolutely not. They cannot be traded or sold. It does not use any blockchain technologies and certainly not NFTs."

Square Enix, Ubisoft, Konami, and Sega are among the gaming companies that have launched or are considering NFT projects.

Credit: VGC