Summary
A recently published patent has revealed thatSonyis developing software for an embedded speedrun timer, suggesting that the company may be working on making life easier for speedrunners.Sonyhas previously filed a number of technology patents that have focused on accessibility, and this latest publication gives further insights into the Japanese powerhouse’s research and development efforts.
One of the biggest names in gaming and entertainment, Sony has frequently filedvideo game software patentsfor a number of potential console and accessory updates, though many remain unreleased to the public. Taking a closer look at Sony’s latest filing, it would seem the company is still heavily focused on making gaming more welcoming to all types of players.
According to a patent published June 12, 2025, Sony is developing an embedded speedrun timer that would allow users to easily track speedrunning playthroughs. The patent states that this timer could be implemented “on a platform” and does not reveal which system the emdedded software is being developed for. It does clarify that it would be available as an “installed import,” possibly suggesting that it could be made available on current or future Sony platforms. This embedded timer could give speedrunners a more streamlined system for tracking their practice runs and could potentially be utilized in larger speedrunning competitions. It is key to note that Sony often filespatents for gaming technologiesthat are never fully developed, so there is currently no guarantee that this speedrun timer will ever be launched.
Sony Embedded Speedrun Timer Patent Details
According to the Sony embedded speedrun timer patent, the software involves a default set of rules, as well as a selectable list of speedrun variables, which can be chosen based on the parameters of a given run. Once activated with the chosen criteria, the software would automatically track if a player has broken a rule or failed a parameter and end the speedrun. Similarly, the timer would be able to determine the exact moment all benchmarks for the run have been completed and clock a precise finish time. As such, players would have a completely hands-free timer and criteria tracker, potentially improving speedrunning methods and tournaments. Whether this embedded speedrun timer or anyother Sony patented technologieswill be fully developed and released to the public remains to be seen.
Many big companies like Sony frequently filepatents for video game developments, ranging from simple progress trackers to fully customizable controllers. While these patents can be incredibly exciting, it is always best to await official announcements fromSonyand others to see which of these technologies will actually be released to consumers.
