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[Don Carlo]

New Sony patent talks about "accelerating the start time of a game" by sorting the game's download in chunks, so users can start playing accordingly.

From Source:

Today, we discovered a newly released patent by Sony Interactive Entertainment titled “ACCELERATED APPLICATION START USING ESTIMATED PLAY DURATION,” filed in August. The patent, published last week, outlines a technique to enhance the speed of video game startup by enabling players to engage with portions of the video game while it is being downloaded.

“A method for accelerating the start time of an application is described herein, comprising receiving application chunk information from a user, wherein playtime information is associated with the application chunk information, wherein the application chunk is a discrete portion of the application and the playtime information is an estimated time for one or more similar users to reach a chosen state or landmark in the application; predicting a download duration from the application chunk information and network information; comparing predicted download duration to stored playtime information associated with a previously received application chunk and the playtime information associated with the application chunk information; and installing the previously received application chunk when the predicted download duration is less than the stored playtime information,” reads the patent’s abstract.

In the recent past, numerous video games introduced a functionality known as “preloading,” enabling players to experience specific segments of the game before its full download completion. Nevertheless, this approach mandated a partial download for playability and resulted in predominantly unfavourable gameplay experiences.

Recognising this challenge, the patent introduces a method that fundamentally redefines the process of application download and installation. The key innovation lies in the concept of “application chunks” — discrete portions of an application that can be downloaded independently.

What sets this method apart is the integration of playtime information associated with each application chunk. When a player initiates the installation of an application, the system receives information about application chunks from the player.

Each application chunk comes with associated playtime information, representing the estimated time it takes for similar players to reach a chosen state or landmark within that part of the application.

Schematic diagram of a system implementing the method for accelerated game start using estimated play duration according to aspects of the present disclosure. | Source: Patent Public Search

Utilising both the application chunk information and network details, the system predicts the duration required to download the next application chunk. This is where the magic happens. The predicted download duration is compared to the stored playtime information associated with previously received application chunks.

 

[JordiENP]

didn't read the whole thing but how is this different than what I do on Ubisoft connect when it let me play while the game is being downloaded.

 

[Crayon]

There is limited functionality for that now and it's pretty neat. It would be a lot better if they can continually download the game. In most I've tried, I hit a wall early on where I have to wait for the download to finish.

 

[TGO]

They already do that and like Crayon said, you hit the brick wall and have to wait for the rest to download, even worse if you've already played the game and continuing from where you left off

 

[Deerock71]

didn't read the whole thing but how is this different than what I do on Ubisoft connect when it let me play while the game is being downloaded.

Does Ubisoft do THIS?!

 

[Killer8]

I'm struggling to understand how this is different than what they already do. Do they want to segment the game further so you download it in chapters?

Sony already did that 15 years ago in Siren: Blood Curse:

The problem is that multiple parts of a game can share assets across the whole game, necessitating downloading a huge amount of data just for that initial chunk to start.

I'm guessing this system might be able to download a copy of an asset for each chunk, so it can be played then and there, and then delete the duplicates at the end when the whole game is downloaded.

 

[RoboFu]

This never really works as games use a lot of the same data no matter what stage / area you are at.

 

[mitch1971]

They touted this on Playstation. I don't think I've partially download any game on playstation and got beyond the title screen before being told to wait for the rest of the game.

 

[xrnzaaas]

Just let me avoid downloading the online module and I'll be happy.

 

[simpatico]

Seems like a waste of effort in the age of ever expanding fiber connections. UbiSoft has been doing it on UPlay for a while and I can't think of a time when it was useful.

 

[SmokedMeat]

A patent? Companies already do this.

 

[adamsapple]

Isn't this the way it already works, you're able to start playing most games when they reach a certain threshold while the rest downloads / copies in the background.

Between this and the dynamic difficulty patent, it's weird to see them trying to patent things which are already commonly used.

 

[Starbuck2907]

Microsoft has done this for years and it doesn’t make much difference.

 

[Krappadizzle]

 

[Flabagast]

Kind of unnecessary given even 100GB games are downloaded in 20-30 minutes with todays connections

 

[cormack12]

We can't even do this with discs consistently. Nice idea not realised, however preloading, app initiated downloads or cloud streaming are all viable options.

 

[Forsete]

I thought they already did this? Works pretty well as it is right now IMO.

But it was more useful when I had a slower internet connection.

 

[consoul]

Not much different from current methods.

This one just seems to differ in that it estimates both how long the player will take to play through to particular chunks and how long the download of the chunks would take to that player's system. It would thereby allow the player to begin playing at the earliest optimal time, rather than a one size fits all predetermined time like the current methods.

 

[ADiTAR]

It might be more interesting if you could download parts of the game an undownload parts of it as you play, so it never really takes up unneeded space once you pass through certain stages.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

This never really works as games use a lot of the same data no matter what stage / area you are at.

Didn't either Cerny or Epic adress this when discussing the effects of SSDs for game design?
The 'paradigm shift' and different way of loading in assets?

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

This is essentially the answer to the issue with GaaS games getting frequent updates that the game install continually inflates over time.

Destiny 2 is a most famous example of how they tried to address the issue, by essentially taking a sledgehammer to the base game and removing content gamers had already paid for, from the game install. This had the impact of making the game virtually impossible to penetrate as a new player many years down the line, as the original D2 campaign story was all but eviscerated from the game. So new players being less able to follow the narrative means they're less engaged and so more ready to put the game down if they're not feeling the gameplay.

This tech would solve the issue by instead putting all the legacy content in the cloud and new players' console's would dynamically download the portions of data in chunks as needed as the players progress through the base game campaign, seasonal campaign and expansions until they reach the current live game.

Both GaaS and MMOs would benefit from this greatly. It's basically a game-changer for those types of games.

 

[semiconscious]

'wait?! but i don't wanna wait! i want it now!'...

 

[Killjoy-NL]

'wait?! but i don't wanna wait! i want it now!'...

Having to wait is one of the worst things in general.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Hadn't they already done it? The last of us PS3 was a test.

 

[RoboFu]

Didn't either Cerny or Epic adress this when discussing the effects of SSDs for game design?
The 'paradigm shift' and different way of loading in assets?

SSD performance has nothing to do with downloading assets. Cannnot load in whats not there.

 

[Esppiral]

They think they've invented the wheel? This has been implemented ages ago by others

 

[Killjoy-NL]

SSD performance has nothing to do with downloading assets. Cannnot load in whats not there.

Yes, you're right.
I misread your post.

Not sure if it's really going to be an issue though, depending on the game.
Downloadspeeds on PS5 are rather fast.

Besides, don't they have this system in place already, where you can download and play a first chapter while the rest downloads in the background?
If they do it in chunks, it's only expanding on an already existing system.

 

[jroc74]

It must just be a continuation or improvement on what they introduced with the PS4.

I dont really see games using it now tho.

They touted this on Playstation. I don't think I've partially download any game on playstation and got beyond the title screen before being told to wait for the rest of the game.

One of the first games it worked well for was Watch Dogs 1. Granted, after you got to a certain point you had to wait for the rest to download. I think it was right after the first hide from police in your car part.

 

[Drake]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Guild Wars 2 had this implemented years ago. You could literally download like 15% of the game and it would continue to download and install while you were in the starting area. It was a little more complicated if you had a preexisting character in an end game area. Basically it would still download that initial 15% and the when you tried to load into that end game area it had to download the area map and assets while it was loading which increased the initial load time a bit. Still a cool feature though.

 

[Krieger]

I don't really see the point of this.Nowadays a 1GB internet connection is the standard. It takes me longer to copy a 40GB game from the disk to the SSD than it takes me to download a 100GB game.

 

[KimDongHwan]

This will be an hyperbole but, this reminded me that Sony is a gaming company, for how long do we only read news about them only for this political topics instead of actual gaming related innovation?

 

[Kuranghi]

There is limited functionality for that now and it's pretty neat. It would be a lot better if they can continually download the game. In most I've tried, I hit a wall early on where I have to wait for the download to finish.

Yeah in fact I feel like every game ever I've done that with has at best blocked me early or at worst just main menu blocked.

I take my time in games and don't rush, in fact I'd say I'd be near the highest counts for playtime, for example just finished RE4 Remake first run not that long ago and it was insane like 40+ hours but I did do and read everything

 

[Loomy]

didn't read the whole thing but how is this different than what I do on Ubisoft connect when it let me play while the game is being downloaded.

They already do that and like Crayon said, you hit the brick wall and have to wait for the rest to download, even worse if you've already played the game and continuing from where you left off

A patent? Companies already do this.

Isn't this the way it already works, you're able to start playing most games when they reach a certain threshold while the rest downloads / copies in the background.

Between this and the dynamic difficulty patent, it's weird to see them trying to patent things which are already commonly used.

Microsoft has done this for years and it doesn’t make much difference.

I thought they already did this? Works pretty well as it is right now IMO.

But it was more useful when I had a slower internet connection.

Every post about patents bring on the same questions. "Why is this being patented?", "Doesn't this company already do this?"

They're not patenting the idea. They are patenting their specific methodology to making this work. It could be a feature they already have, but if they find a better more efficient way of doing it that is different enough from how it is currently being done, they can file a patent for it.

 

[Kuranghi]

Does Ubisoft do THIS?!

Reminding me of sweatmother haha

 

[Kuranghi]

'wait?! but i don't wanna wait! i want it now!'...

Every few days I must deal with a grown man who MUST have a 75 or 85" TV that day at that moment and when I explain it must be delivered I tell him to go to Costco. Then he'll say "but I have a van!" ‍

It's pretty funny though when they never specified that at the start of the conversation and then Costco doesn't stock that particular model and they start asking about best alternatives and I'm like "uhhh sorry I have to help someone else who is going to buy a TV here, sozbro. I'm sure the costco guys will be well versed in the intricacies of television technology "

 

[Perrott]

I remember starting to play The Last Of Us Part II as it was being downloaded and having a great experience making use of the pre-load feature.

 

[DaciaJC]

I'm not sure what this has to do with the topic at hand, but watching it to its conclusion was probably the single best thing I've done today.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

How is this new? Not sure what it's like on PS, but on Xbox you download the game and most of the time you can start playing the game before it's fully installed.

The system even tells you the game is ready early by saying "Ready to Start" while the downloading bar keeps going.

 

[The Cockatrice]

People play games while they're getting downloaded? Did humanity lose its patience? Is good internet speed a rarity? I've had 1000Mbps speeds at 10 euros for like an eternity.

 

[rofif]

I don’t need that. I am happy to wait 30 minutes until disc installs. Maybe some tea, go to the bathroom and it’s done

 

[Krappadizzle]

I'm not sure what this has to do with the topic at hand, but watching it to its conclusion was probably the single best thing I've done today.

I could explain. But that'd be less fun.

 

[Megatron]

Sony should patent motion controls and VR headsets next. Patents are really easy when you can just patent stuff we already have.

 

[dottme]

Mobile games are doing this like crazy. But they are also cut in smaller area so it's easier to split the download.
Edit: I read a little and my understanding is the big innovation is to split the download in a more dynamic way. It can be splitted in different size based on the playtime and the download speed.

 

[cartman414]

So... like the game within a loading screen patent by Namco?

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[BouncyFrag]

I’m fine waiting.

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[Fafalada]

They already do that and like

Well, no, 'they' don't(if you mean Sony). Currently the method is entirely hand driven by developers, which is also why its so limited.

The whole problem space here isn't really about prediction (that's the easiest part by far) its how to generalize data dependency trees and subdivision into functional blocks.

 

[Gameplay Gods Bless]

didn't read the whole thing but how is this different than what I do on Ubisoft connect when it let me play while the game is being downloaded.

Blizzard has been doing this since the late 2000s, a ton of companies doit.

 

[Hudo]

I feel like they're just trying to patent shit and see if they can get away with it.