Microsoft Files Patent for Ad-Heavy Video Game System

Microsoft has filed a patent application for a system that would show advertisements during video games without interrupting players at critical moments. The technology, described in the patent application published on September 3, uses machine learning and visual recognition to analyze gameplay and identify natural stopping points.

The system could pause the game while an advertisement or promotional video plays, and reward players with a 'credit' that allows them to continue playing for a set amount of time. The credit duration could be as short as 15 minutes or as long as several hours.

According to the patent application, the system would avoid interrupting players during intense gameplay, such as battles or high-speed racing. Instead, it could delay advertisements until after the player has reached a natural stopping point, such as the end of a game round or loading screen.