New Sony patent tackles cloud-based emulation

Could 2014 be the year that streamed PS3 games arrive on PS4?

A new Sony patent entitled ‘Suspending State of Cloud-Based Legacy Applications’ spotted by IGN that was filed in 2012 but published yesterday details the process of introducing new content” into classic games that are being streamed from the cloud.

"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," it reads.

"Instead of replaying the same level or completing the same missions repeatedly, gamers often desire new challenges when replaying legacy games. In response to this need, game designers have begun to produce mini-games.

Within a mini-game, the gamer can be instructed to complete new objectives or challenge their friends for high scores in a format that was not originally designed into the legacy game."

It all suggests that Sony is thinking bigger than simply offering players the chance to access old games and instead hopes to offer new gameplay and challenges within classic titles.

Sony has never specified when it intends to introduce streaming gaming via PSN. Some have questioned the viability of such tech, not only because of the limitations imposed by broadband speeds but also due to the vast resources needed to operate such an infrastructure.