Sony Patents a Dedicated Rewind Button to Assist Gamers

For years, the ability to save your progress at any moment has been a staple feature in the world of emulators. Now, it looks like this handy tool might be making a leap to gaming consoles. A recent patent from Sony has stirred up some buzz. Spotted by the team at Tech4Gamers via PatentScope, the document reveals plans for a new PlayStation controller, which includes a dedicated button for Save State functionality. According to a passage from the patent, “The user is able to enter the rewind mode from the live game play using one or more controller inputs to view recent game play (e.g. rewinding, fast-forwarding, playing, etc.) and returning to live game play afterwards.” Of course, it’s always good to remember that not every patent turns into an actual product.

For those familiar with various emulators, the idea of a “rewind mode” is reminiscent of the save and load state features that these platforms offer. Nintendo Switch Online, for instance, also lets players use save states and quick rewind features with its classic games. However, while PC emulators typically require a key bind to use these features, and the Switch often relies on button combinations, Sony seems keen on introducing a single button solely for this function, probably located close to the D-Pad for easy access.

Beyond the realm of emulators, save states also pop up in some pretty intriguing ways in gaming. Take Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, for example. This classic action-adventure game released way back in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube incorporated a “sands of time” mechanic, allowing players to rewind time and rectify mistakes, such as avoiding dire deaths. This mechanic is akin to how save states work in an emulator, giving players a chance to reverse errors.

That said, a feature like this isn’t a magic wand for every game. It wouldn’t mesh well with multiplayer games that depend on synchronized states between players and servers. Such a button would find its true calling within single-player experiences. Yet, even in this domain, there are voices of dissent. Some gamers, especially those who swear by the fixed difficulty of Soulsborne titles, might argue this would spoil the challenge of these rigorously crafted experiences.