14 DAY TRIAL // Sony has just patented a brand new method of including new gameplay elements (snapshots) into games that are emulated via cloud-based methods, such as the upcoming Gaikai service from the Japanese company.
Sony promised to use Gaikai to allow customers to experience older games using their new platforms, like the PS4 or PS Vita.
Now, it seems that Sony is already patenting new ways of spicing things up when emulating older titles, in the form of a new mechanic that adds gameplay elements to older titles by interrupting their action.
The new patent was found on NeoGAF and was recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
"The present disclosure is related to video game emulation. Among other things, this application describes a method and apparatus for emulating a video game that includes generating snapshots that can be used for incorporating new content into the emulated video games."
The actual description of the mechanic reveals that it will be employed when games are emulated using cloud-based services, probably Sony's own Gaikai system.
"A snapshot of an emulated game may be generated by a snapshot generator. At some point during the emulation of the emulated game, a snapshot generator delivers a suspension request to an emulator. Once the suspension request is received, the emulator will suspend the emulated title. The emulator generates a snapshot of the emulated game by recording the current state of all devices being emulated."
"The snapshot is then delivered to the snapshot generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure."
What's more, some examples offered by Sony relating to the emulation refer to playing PlayStation games on the PC or PS Vita, and PlayStation 2 titles on the PS3.