Sony patents live game updates that patch code without stopping play
Sony describes a method for changing the software code of a video game while it is currently running. The system receives a small update, or patch, and swaps in the new instructions without requiring the player to close the game or restart the application.
In the filing’s own words
Techniques for updating application binary during video game execution are provided. In an example, a computer system executes a video game application based on a binary including a first compiled program code and a second compiled program code. The computer system receives, while the video game application executes, a program code patch that includes a third compiled program code to replace the first or second compiled program code or to be added to the binary. The computer system updates the binary to include the program code patch while the video game application continues to execute.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: executing a video game application based on a binary including a first compiled program code and a second compiled program code; receiving, while the video game application executes, a program code patch that includes a third compiled program code to replace the first or second compiled program code or to be added to the binary; and updating the binary to include the program code patch while the video game application continues to execute.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.)
- Official title
- UPDATING APPLICATION BINARY DURING VIDEO GAME EXECUTION
- Publication number
- US20260273419A1
- Application number
- 19076858
- Filed
- Mar 11, 2025
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A63F 13/69 Human necessitiesMore from Sony in Games & media
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.