Sony has revealed an unusual new initiative that could see players appear inside its games, introducing a concept that blends gaming with real-world identity. The programme, known as The Playerbase, is designed to capture a person’s likeness and integrate it into PlayStation titles.

The rollout is starting in a limited way. Sony is running a competition that will place one selected participant into Gran Turismo 7, although in a relatively modest form. Rather than appearing as a fully rendered character, the winner will have their face used as a profile image within the game. They will also be invited to personalise elements such as a vehicle’s exterior design and a custom logo.

gran-turismo.com

As part of the experience, the chosen participant will be flown to Los Angeles for a full-body scan. Sony has not explained how this scan might be used in the future, particularly given that Gran Turismo 7 does not feature many scenarios where full character models are required.

Entry into the programme is not straightforward. Applicants must complete a standard submission process along with additional steps such as video interviews and other selection criteria. The opportunity is open to players across multiple regions, including Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

While the concept of appearing in a game may appeal to some players, questions remain about how widely the programme will be used. Sony’s current generation of first-party releases has been relatively limited, raising uncertainty about how often players might actually see themselves represented in upcoming titles.