Alright, this just blew my mind a little. Not so much that I’m left a catatonic husk, though – I can still type. Lucky you.

Anyway, Sony has filed two patents (bada boom, bada bing) that, when combined, reveal the secret to local multiplayer gaming like ain’t never been seen before. Actually, it will technically never be seen, even once it’s implemented.

We’re all familiar with how 3D works, right? Alternating frames, left and right, illusion of depth, all that jazz. I won’t insult your intelligence. Sony has filed patents that dare threaten to take the concept to the next level – offering the end of split screen gaming. Remember how hard Goldeneye sucked when your opponent knew the map better than you did? You were absolutely hunted. No longer, if Sony has anything to say about it.

The patent details a system wherein four frames (as opposed to two) are cycled through. Player one gets frames 1 and 3, and player two gets 2 and 4. This will, in effect, allow both players to see only their view of the game, in full-screen. Never again will your opponent see what you’re up to. I do believe this qualifies as gnarly.

Of course, the feasibility of this is likely still a ways off – current 3DTVs are thousands of dollars and rock an already-impressive 120hz refresh rate. As such, a view for two would require at least 240hz. So, for now at least, local multiplayer will have to remain on an honour system. Y’know, and two-dimensional.