Jonny Malks
A Look Back at the GameCube Controller’s Design Patents from Early 2001
Fancy a blast from the past? This week, we’re having a look back at the pair of patents that would go on to become Nintendo’s iconic GameCube controller.
Federal Circuit Signals Skepticism in Epic Tech LLC Patent Case
A recent Federal Circuit oral argument in Epic Tech LLC's patent case highlights the growing importance of evaluating patent strength before filing suit, as weak infringement claims may increase the risk of…
SAP SE’s 2012 “Game Buddy” Patent
Ever feel lonely while playing video games? Back in 2012, the U.S. Patent Office issued a patent to SAP SE geared toward addressing this problem with an AI companion that responds to…
Sony’s 2021 “Inventory Coach” Patent
Sifting through inventory in your favorite RPG can be boring. In 2021, Sony attempted to streamline this process by patenting an AI model to help coach you through what to throw out…
The Weird and Wonderful World of Joystick Patents
The U.S. patent office has issued some cool and strange joystick patents over the years. In this post, we have a look at some of our favorites!
Nike’s Patent for a Video Game System with Biofeedback
In 2024, Nike received a patent for a video game chair that register's a user's biometric data and displays it on screen.
Exploring Nintendo’s 2019 Pokéball Plus Patent
Nintendo’s game controller, shaped like a Pokéball and patented back in 2019, features a button, a vibrator, and an antenna.
Handheld Video Game Console Design Patents Through the Years
A survey of various design patents relating to handheld game consoles, from modern Android handhelds to old-school retro handheld consoles.
Sony Files Patent Application on Patent Buttons That Get Harder or Softer Based on Touch
Sony's international patent application WO2026110304 concerns controller buttons with reactive hardness/softness.
The Beat Don’t Lie: An Overview of Rhythm Game Patents
A survey of some active U.S. patents relating to rhythm video games, including patents by Harmonix and Nintendo.
Nintendo’s 2014 GameBoy Emulation Patent
Nintnedo's patent relates to the emulation of GameBoy games on “low-capability target platform[s].”
Microsoft’s Accessibility-Focused Refreshable Braille Display Controller Patent
Microsoft's patent involves“a refreshable braille display accessory for a game controller” that would allow blind video game players to read on-screen text.
A Look at MGA Entertainment’s Two Screen Gameplay Hardware Patent from 2015
MGA Entertainment's two-screen gameplay-related patent concerns a “virtual world electronic game,” in which players connect a proprietary handheld device to their desktop.
Microsoft Files Patent Application for In-Game AI Helper
Earlier this year, international patent application WO2026035323A1 was published. Assigned to Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC, the patent application relates to “video game help sessions” assisted by built-in AI helpers made to assist players through tricky parts of a game. The language in the…
Nintendo Files Patent Application Directed to Touchscreen Creature Capture
Nintendo filed a patent application to be included in their creature-capture and mount-switching gameplay systems patent family. Japanese Patent Application 2026-019762 relates to a monster catching gameplay loop in which players use…
New Patent Publication for AMD’s “AI Rendering Engine” Demonstrates Further Push into Generative AI in Video Games
AMD's patent application relates to improving the performance of the rendering tasks that a traditional game engine would perform.
Delivery of “Alternate Content” During Video Game Wait Times: How Sony Might Use Their New AI Patent Publication to Serve Ads
A Sony patent application, recently published as U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20260138036, relates to showing video game players advertisements while they’re waiting for games to load. The publication concerns finding the precise…