For many years now, save state functionality has been a staple in the world of emulation, but it looks like it might be making its way to consoles soon. Sony recently filed a patent, highlighted by Tech4Gamers on PatentScope, which details a potential future PlayStation controller that features a dedicated Save State button. As the document describes, “The user can enter the rewind mode during live gameplay using one or more controller inputs to review recent gameplay (e.g., rewinding, fast-forwarding, playing, etc.) and then return to live gameplay.” Of course, it’s essential to remember that not every patent leads to an actual product.
For those familiar with various emulators, this “rewind mode” brings to mind the familiar save and load state capability common in emulation software. Nowadays, even Nintendo Switch Online allows for save states and brief rewinds in its retro games. Unlike typical PC emulators where these functions might be tied to a key bind or on the Switch with a custom button combo, Sony appears to be considering a dedicated button for this function, potentially near the D-Pad.
The concept of save states isn’t limited to just emulators, either. Take, for instance, the noteworthy usage in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Released back in 2003 for platforms like the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube, the game introduced a unique mechanic. Players could rewind time to reverse mishaps, like falling prey to foes or environmental threats—a concept strikingly reminiscent of the system-level save states used to correct mistakes in emulators.
However, it’s important to point out that a system-wide button for this purpose won’t be feasible for all types of games. Multiplayer games, for instance, rely heavily on syncing game states with other players and servers, rendering such functionality impractical. This dedicated button would be most effective in single-player games. Some might argue that this feature could potentially dilute the gaming experience, especially among fans of challenging titles like those from the Soulsborne series, who value a consistent difficulty level.
