Imagine having an instant undo button in every game, not just for specific actions but across your entire gameplay experience — Sony is working on making this possible. Recently, Tech4Gamers spotted a patent filed by Sony with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 31. The patent outlines the idea of a dedicated “rewind” button on a game controller, which could allow players to instantly reverse their in-game actions or even rewind a recorded video of their gameplay.
While the concept of rewinding gameplay isn’t new — with games like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Braid having made this a core mechanic — the idea of integrating it directly into gamepad hardware is intriguing. If Sony follows through, this could mean that future games, especially on PlayStation consoles, might allow for a more dynamic way of interacting with the game world, similar to the rewind feature seen in the Nintendo Switch’s Online emulation platform.
The patent suggests that Sony could be aiming to offer a rewind function in modern games, utilizing the PlayStation 5’s fast storage and powerful hardware. However, while the idea sounds appealing, especially for those looking for a way to master tough games like Soulslikes, there are challenges. Rewinding in multiplayer environments is tricky (much like Fallout 76’s inability to apply the VATS system in multiplayer), and getting developers to adopt a console-specific feature can be hit or miss.
It’s important to remember that a patent filing is far from a guarantee of release. Companies like Sony file patents regularly, often without any concrete plans to bring the idea to market. Even so, the idea of a rewind button for every game is an exciting thought for players who dream of an undo button at their fingertips.
