Sony Files Patent for Recording VR Gameplay

3.5

Sony filed a new patent for recording VR gameplay as the company continues to research potential new features for VR headsets. PlayStation VR2, the latest VR headset by Sony, releases next month with a launch lineup consisting of over 30 first-party and third-party titles.

PlayStation VR2 is a major generational leap in VR technology from Sony to greatly improve upon the success of the original PS VR headset. The PS VR2 headset features a vivid OLED display with a resolution of 2000x2040 per eye with support for up to a refresh rate of 120Hz. Moreover, the headset makes use of the PS5's technical capabilities and features through a required USB-C connection on the front of the console. Sony's PS VR2 was developed with feedback from the first PS VR headset and research to improve the overall VR experience for players. The company continues to research and patent new ideas for VR, which could potentially become integral to the PS VR2 headset through firmware updates.

Sony Interactive Entertainment recently filed a new patent that would allow a VR headset to record gameplay for streaming purposes. Specifically, the "video recording and playback system and methods" patent outlines a system that would stream PS VR2 gameplay to platforms like Twitch and YouTube by capturing a wider field of view. By using a wide FOV, viewers have a reduced chance of getting motion sickness by watching gameplay from a PS VR2 user's headset. Sony's new patent illustrates this method with figures that seemingly depict a PS VR2 user and the inside of the headset.

The new patent explains that VR recording would render the FOV for the primary PS VR2 user while rendering a view of the surrounding virtual environment at a lower resolution. A rendered FOV would be displayed for the primary user, and a second combined render would be recorded for secondary users. This combined render would be tailored for viewers watching a stream and reduce factors that lead to motion sickness. Further, the PS VR2 headset would study player capabilities and continue to accommodate in real-time.

Sony's latest patent carefully explains VR gameplay recording from what appears to be the upcoming PS VR2 headset. The company has yet to reveal any definitive plans for gameplay recording through PS VR2. However, this new recording feature may be directly implemented through future firmware updates. For example, Sony introduced new features to PS5 through firmware updates including 1440p support and game lists.

PS VR2 launches on February 22 with a variety of supported titles such as Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village, and Tetris Effect: Connected. In the near future, PS VR2 players may be able to natively stream gameplay from these titles to platforms like Twitch and YouTube.