Windows Central - March 3, 2026:
"Following Microsoft's recent announcement that Xbox head Phil Spencer is retiring and the company's CoreAI Product president Asha Sharma is stepping up to fill the role of Microsoft Gaming CEO, a patent the firm filed that describes helpers — human or AI — stepping in to assist players when they get stuck on difficult in-game challenges has rapidly become the target of public scrutiny.
"Some have run with the idea that this represents the start of aggressive AI expansion into the Xbox gaming experience on consoles and PC by Sharma. Something that needs to be understood, however, is that this patent was filed by Microsoft in 2024, long before Sharma entered her new position.
"The "State management for video game help sessions" patent itself describes a process in which a system recognizes when you're struggling with a particular game segment, encounter, or puzzle, and offers you a choice to connect with a helper. If you accept it, the system saves your game and a helper briefly takes control of the game over the cloud and completes what you're stuck on for you, explaining how they did so over text chat.
"Notably, the patented system includes the option for players to immediately get control of the game back from a helper at any time if they want it. It also mentions machine learning that determines when assistance should be offered and how long it lasts, which would hopefully ensure the system doesn't feel intrusive."
#Xbox #GamingNews #Microsoft #VideoGames #GamingAccessibility #InclusiveGaming #AI #MicrosoftAI #TechEthics #AssistiveTech #Accessibility #Disabled #Elderly
Leading into the (early access) release of Slay the Spire 2, I was worried. I loved the original and it's always difficult to follow up.
Then it came out, I played my first 10 hours or so and damn, I'm so happy with the game.
I started writing down my notes as I experience the game. Spoiler alert, in the notes I talk about things in the game that you may want to experience yourself. You have been warned.
https://notes.hamatti.org/gaming/video-games/reviews/slay-the-spire-2
She isn't wrong, cool pov.
The comment section has several comments on bobbin lace making as a culturally important craft to simulate in video games, and IDK man, thinking about simulating tallies feels like some kind of medieval torture device instead of a game (otoh that's what gives you a sense of accomplishment.)
I also like the comments on woodworking, because: I've been waiting for this one woodworking game about ship building on Steam for close to ten years, because damn but that's difficult to get into IRL, so much space and tools required.
Subscribe to #videogames entries via RSS feed