Sony Patents Tech to Shrink 100GB Games into 100MB via Hybrid Streaming.
As reported by Tech4Gamers, a newly discovered patent from Sony suggests a radical solution to the ever-increasing size of AAA games. With modern titles frequently exceeding 100GB, Sony is exploring a concept that could shrink local game files down to just a few hundred megabytes by utilizing real-time asset streaming.
The Hybrid Approach: Logic on Device, Assets in the Cloud
The patent describes a two-tier system designed to eliminate the drawbacks of traditional cloud gaming:
The Local Tier: Core game logic, physics, and executable files are downloaded and run directly on the player’s hardware. This ensures that control inputs remain instantaneous, effectively solving the "input lag" or latency issues commonly found in full cloud gaming services.
The Streaming Tier: High-demand assets, such as 4K textures, complex 3D models, and lossless audio, are streamed in real-time from high-speed servers as the player moves through the game world.
Seamless Fail-Safe for Unstable Connections
One of the most innovative aspects of the patent is its handling of network fluctuations. If a player’s internet connection drops or becomes unstable, the system automatically swaps high-resolution streamed assets for "Low-Quality Placeholders" stored locally. This allows the game to remain playable without stuttering, with the graphics dynamically scaling back up once the connection stabilizes.
While this technical filing confirms Sony is actively researching ways to combat "SSD bloat," there is currently no official confirmation on when or if this technology will be integrated into the PlayStation ecosystem.
Currently, the PlayStation 5 has limited SSD space. With a single game consuming nearly 200GB (such as Call of Duty or future GTA VI), players can only install a few games. This patent would allow a console with only 1TB of storage to store hundreds of AAA games simultaneously.
Sony already possesses leading data compression technologies like Oodle and Kraken. Adding a streaming system would reduce decompression bottlenecks on the CPU, resulting in faster loading times and unlimited high-resolution gameplay.
If this system is implemented, large game patches may no longer require lengthy download times. New assets would be updated on the server side and streamed to the player's console immediately upon launching the game.
The biggest challenge is the average global internet speed. Even with a system that switches to lower graphics settings, the change in gameplay dynamics could impact the player experience. Sony will likely focus on leveraging 5G and high-speed fiber optic networks for this purpose.
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Source: Tech4Gamers
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