Microsoft has patented a system for showing adverts in PC and Xbox games during natural pauses, such as loading screens, menus or transitions. The idea is to reduce disruption by giving players periods of advert-free gameplay in return for watching adverts, potentially creating a new revenue stream for free-to-play games.

The patent describes software that monitors game activity and waits for suitable “trigger events” before displaying an advert, while freezing gameplay so players cannot lose progress. It may use game data, application programming interfaces or machine-learning systems to determine when players are inactive, but a patent does not mean the technology will necessarily be implemented.