It seems like you can help or process the main player in virtual reality, depending on the available choices. According to the patent, it will “enlarge the VR scene based on the spectators’ input in response to the interactive content of the content of the audience participation.”In the given example, we can see one user within virtual reality while four friends are on the couch behind them. On the screen visible to the audience is a small voice that allows them to choose between a sword, a monster or a soup spoon. This selection is registered on the spectator devices and then sent to the player within the virtual reality, which quickly sees “spectators have given you a soup spoon.”
It is not clear if the VR user knows about the available options or not, but it will definitely contribute to the mischievous nature of this interesting technology. The idea immediately evokes images of spectators who can send unconscious players into an abomination on a bad road or make a story decision for them. Honestly, it just sounds really nice.
As with all patents, the fact that it was filed does not necessarily indicate that Sony will go further with the development, but it is another indication that the company is actively thinking about where its VR products should go.
In other PlayStation patent news, a patent unveiled in September of 2020 suggested that the next PSVR headset could have Oculus-like inside-out detection. At the time of writing, the PSVR is only available on the PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility, with Sony’s plans for the platform going forward still a secret.
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.