Sony has filed a patent that appears to allow streaming platforms like Twitch or other platform viewers to actually kick the players they’re watching in the middle of a game.
Last February 3rd, 2021, the Sony logo was displayed at the entrance to the company’s headquarters in Tokyo. The patent was filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is officially titled as “Spectators Vote To Bench Players In A Video Game”
You can view the patent’s official page, which shows that it was filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Stream viewers will be able to remove players even during the heat of battle using the Sony patent, either by voting or by paying for it.
Streaming platforms like Twitch, according to the filing, are attracting an increasing number of users. As a result, Sony appears to have wanted to “improve” the viewers’ experience by providing “increased functionality and interactivity.”
Apart from potentially benching Twitch streamers, Sony is allowing viewers to send messages to players if they want them to improve.
A streamer can only be kicked out if the vote reaches a majority, such as 60% of all viewers. There is also a “weighting system” that would give even more power to viewers who are classified as more skilled spectators. Viewers can earn the title of “skilled spectator” based on personal statistics, achievements, and in-game level in the game they’re watching live.