Sony Patents a Rewind Button to Assist Gamers in Tough Situations

Save state features have long been a staple in the world of emulation, but it looks like they might finally be making their way to gaming consoles. A recent patent filed by Sony suggests that we could soon see a PlayStation controller equipped with a dedicated “Save State” button. This discovery, which Tech4Gamers unearthed on PatentScope, includes interesting details from the document. According to the patent, players would be able to access a “rewind mode” during live gameplay. This would allow users to revisit recent moments, possibly by rewinding, fast-forwarding, or simply playing them back before returning to the live action. However, it’s crucial to remember that not every patent results in an actual product.

For those familiar with various emulators, the concept of a “rewind mode” might sound quite familiar. It mirrors the save and load state functions that have become synonymous with such software. Even Nintendo has embraced this trend, allowing save states and short rewind windows in its Nintendo Switch Online retro games. But while PC emulators and the Switch use custom key binds or button combinations, Sony seems to want to make this feature more accessible, probably through a dedicated button conveniently located near the D-Pad.

Beyond just emulators, save states find fascinating uses in gaming. One notable example is the classic game, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, this action-adventure game included a unique mechanic that let players reverse time. This feature allowed them to undo untimely deaths caused by the game’s challenging enemies and environmental hazards—much like how emulator save states let users rewind to pre-error moments.

However, implementing a system-level “Save State” button does have its limitations. Such a feature wouldn’t be compatible with every game. Particularly, multiplayer games, which require synchronized states between players and servers, wouldn’t support this kind of functionality. It’s likely this button will find its place primarily in single-player games. Some purists, especially fans of challenging titles like those in the Soulsborne series, might argue that it could dilute the experience by offering an easier route through traditionally unforgiving gameplay.

This patent has certainly sparked a lot of interest and conversations within the gaming community. While it’s an exciting concept, only time will tell if it will become part of our gaming reality.