A newly-published patent applied for by Nintendo reveals potential plans to display individualised game ratings on the Switch eShop.
As spotted by Game Rant, the patent in question describes a system that can "generate a base rating that is a function of gameplay data for a specific user," as well as "an average external rating for [a] video game based on external data categories." Essentially, this means that a game page could theoretically contain some form of rating (similar to a review score), based on a variety of personalised factors.
The patent offers up some examples of what these factors could be. It mentions user reviews, critic reviews, and ownership data, noting that once these are taken into account, an "adjustment factor" is created by using all of the data gathered and combining that with "the user's individual base rating."
It might sound a little complex, but it sounds like a system which – on a surface level, at least – would feel similar to Netflix's 'Recommended for You' suggestions. It could theoretically see which games are reviewing well among critics and other users, track which games you already own to line those thoughts up with your tastes, and then offer up a final verdict on which games you might like.
It's an interesting idea, but it's worth noting that a successful, published patent doesn't confirm that Nintendo will actually go ahead and implement the idea. We've seen plenty of patents appear in the past that have never seen the light of day, as well as plenty that have, so we'll just have to wait and see.
What do you think of Nintendo's idea? Would you like to see a system like this on the eShop, or do you prefer to make your mind up about new purchases in other ways? Let us know in the comments.
[source patentscope.wipo.int, via gamerant.com]
Comments 31
ID be happy if they at least could add a search category for horror genre.
Can't wait to be recommended an £8 calculator
YEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this is true im all over it.
Wait, a reviewing system perhaps?
If that's the case, I'm always happy to have less shovelware in my life.
This is just a way of interpreting data - can you patent such a method?
Not that the feature was ever of use to me on PSN, Steam or even Deku Deals.😅
The entire eShop needs a makeover on many areas way before whatever this patent is supposed to do.
4 years to do this. Wow... I mean wow. We should and be and are incredibly grateful to nintendo. No other company has ever implanted something this quickly.
This looks like a weird thing to patent...
I would be all over that.
@HotGoomba they did at one point but uh, didn't go so well.
I just want a way of flagging that I never want to see something again. That would be wonderful.
They need to hire some staff to properly manage the eShop content and optimise the service. It's a shockingly bad platform and an enormous own goal by Nintendo who could be making a lot more money from it.
Year 1 I spent hours every month trawling through the eShop looking for and buying games.
Year 2 I spent about an hour a month...
Year 3 I spent minutes...
Year 4 - despite having even more time than ever before, I spend ZERO time doing it because it is such a shockingly bad experience and I'm literally playing a game of dodge the terrible game.
I can't speak for everyone obviously, but based on what I spent in Year 1 and Year 2 on Switch downloads, they have left a lot of money on the table by doing NOTHING with the platform.
why does this need a new patent? This is basic store behavior on PS, Xbox, and Steam
It already does it's called my, "wishlist".
@nocdaes That's the good and bad side of sale weeks. Excitement to see what's on tap, the sadness when it takes like 45 minutes between the shovelware and the slow ajax loading.
Meanwhile, I'm over here waiting to see if they'll ever bring back music to the eShop.
Another useless feature. Just give us folders already!!
@SuperWeird That should be a given. But four years later, here we are 🧐
The problem with these types of suggestions is often that the algorithm can't really see what the common factor is binding together my favourite items, whether it is a question of music, films or in this case favourite games such as Monster Hunter, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, No more heroes, Dark Souls, Picross S, Xenoblade, Hades and Zelda.
I'll take any improvements I can get at this point.
@nhSnork I'm surprised but the steam one's pretty good and I've gotten a few games because of it that I would never have otherwise known about.
How about making it easy to scroll through? It takes hours.
That's shocking to say the least
How about giving it a complete overhaul first , the eshop is beyond awful ,it needs to be faster and easier too navigate and have proper search functions , doesn't if have a option to sort deals by date so have wade through a sea of crap too find new deals.
@Strumpan Fully agree about my tastes not matching strict gameplay genres. My taste in games is filtered by things like music, art design, world-building, aesthetics, etc.
Yea but the barrier with any rating systems unless carefully managed is the system can be gamed by developers and publishers, so with this method we might even see MORE shovelware at the top. Really depends what factors and weights they attach to the things they are using to create this personalisation.
I don’t see it happening to be honest what with Nintendo’s very “careful” approach and family-friendly concerns. Too many pitfalls and they don’t seem that switched on to the whole online environment as a company. Everything seems outdated and bad practice compared to what is and should be possible these days!
Their new cutting edge way to share screenshots “direct” to your phone being a prime example. What the heck!
We've come a long way from my 3DS recommending me games I've already owned for two years at that point.
The “soon” in the title of this article is heavily caveated by the context here
Nice! But can we get folders now?
@mr_benn Very curious, what is the software so atrocious it annoys you every time you see it? For me it's Woolley Mountain.
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