Microsoft Files Patent for Context-Aware Ads in Xbox Games

Microsoft has filed a patent application for a system that would interrupt Xbox games at contextually appropriate points to show promoted audiovisual content. The system, titled 'Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access,' can pause gameplay or temporarily block player inputs while showing ads. After the ad is presented, the system restores interaction and assigns credits to the user's account.

The patent application describes a system that uses contextual information from the game to decide when to show ads. This information can come from an API signal, user activity, or event-detection systems that recognize objects, animations, textures, images, characters, sounds, or inputs. The filing includes several examples of how this system could work in video games.

The credits assigned to the user's account can be based on time, with options like 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, or longer periods before another presentation of promoted content. Credits can also depend on progress in a game, such as completion of levels, online multiplayer matches, or defeating non-playable characters.

This patent application is separate from Xbox's current ad-supported cloud streaming test, which uses a different format for presenting ads during gameplay.