Summary
Continuing to prioritize making gaming a safer and more welcoming environment for all players,Sonyhas registered a patent for a “bad actor” detection system that would help to reduce toxic behavior in online video games. The filing joins a string of patents bySonythat seek to lessen unhealthy interactions in multiplayer gaming and promote positive experiences between players.
With a number of major multiplayer games likeFortniteandMinecraftdrawing in younger players, companies like Sony have shown an effort to ensure online spaces are free of toxicity and negative interactions. Similar to aSony VR safe space patentrevealed in 2024, new documents unveil further efforts by the Japanese company to create healthier environments for online gaming.
A Sonypatentinitially filed in October 2024 and published on July 22, 2025, details a “bad actor” detection system that would track negative behaviors in online multiplayer video games and use this data to implement mitigating actions such as bans or restrictions. The system would track how often a given user interacts with other players in a negative way, such as inappropriate text or voice chat, griefing actions like repeated friendly fire against teammates, and more, and would compile this data to create a profile of said user. If the user’s bad actor score exceeds a predetermined threshold, that player may face limited online capabilities until they show a change in activity. The system follows similar trends as otherSony online safety patentswith aims to develop more positive and healthy interactions in multiplayer video games.
Sony’s bad actor detection system utilizes frequency markers as the main indicator of toxic behavior. For example, a player who accidentally targets a teammate only once would not have to worry about being marked as a bad actor, whereas a griefing player constantly targeting teammates would be identified as having surpassed the threshold. If the bad actor adjusts their online behavior and drops below the threshold, any mitigating consequences may be lifted, thus encouraging continued positive interactions. While there is currently no guarantee that this bad actor detection system or otherSony gaming software technologieswill be fully developed and released to the public, many may be happy to see a big-name company working to address toxicity in gaming.
A number of online multiplayer video games have their own detection systems to help mitigate negative behavior, but a broader system that encompasses all titles could be more reassuring for players wanting to avoid toxic users. The multitude ofSony patents addressing player behaviorcould be an indicator of the company’s aim to make gaming environments more welcoming, though it remains to be seen ifSonywill pursue utilizing these patented technologies.
