Ubisoft Unveils The Potential Of Generative AI For NPC Advancement

Gaming titan Ubisoft unveiled a glimpse of its advanced AI gaming models, which the firm said will equip non-player characters (NPCs) with remarkable skills. The developer’s innovative NEO NPCs were showcased at the yearly Game Developer Convention in San Francisco earlier this week.

Ubisoft stated that its NEO NPCs are a long distance away from being utilized in games. But when introduced, they will change how players relate to NPCs. This initiative will boost the experience of players and drive the advancement and adoption of AI in gaming.

Ubisoft Seeks To Enhance Player Experience With NPCs Powered By Advanced AI

In the GDC preview, players worked together with the NEO NPC Artificial Intelligence. Ubisoft stated that it displayed unprecedented interactive and cognitive abilities such as decision-making, situational awareness, memory, and emotion.

Ubisoft developed hit games like Far Cry, Rainbox Six, and Assassin’s Creed, and the company said that these advancements make use of voice-to-chat technology. Utilizing Innovative AI, NPCs possess the ability to assist players in formulating plans, asking questions, and sharing ideas.

Virginie Mosser, Ubisoft narrative director stated that he is familiar with crafting a character’s history, their dreams and hopes, and the experiences that formed their personality. He mentioned that he used all this information to develop himself into writing dialogue.

The company mentioned that the NEO NPCs were established under a collaboration with Inworld AI and chipmaker Nvidia. Ubisoft cited that it plans to utilize the Audio2Face technology of Nvidia, a Component of its ACE suite, to develop lifelike facial movements.

Ubisoft Seeks To Advance Game Development With AI Innovation

During the previous summer, Silicon Valley-focused Inworld AI generated $50 million in a financing round spearhead by Lightspeed Venture Partners. LG Technology, Eric Schmidt’s First Spark Ventures, strategic investors Microsoft’s M12 fund, Samsung Next, and Stanford University also participated.

In addition to engaging conversations, Ubisoft highlights that Inworld AI’s technology enables Ubisoft’s writers to craft detailed dialogue, knowledge, and background for each NPC.

Guillemette Picard, Ubisoft’s senior vice president of production technology highlighted the team approach on this project always keeping in mind the needs of their developers and players. She further emphasizes the need to employ generative AI technology to support the creativity of developers to drive their projects.

Following the public release of Midjourney and OpenAI’s ChatGPT last year, gaming studios have been exploring ways to leverage the technology. Studios like Microsoft, Square Enix, and Blizzard Entertainment have joined Ubisoft in the AI race.

During the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Ubisoft revealed that the game studio partnered with technology giant Nvidia.  The team plans to build more talkative and responsive characters while leveraging Nvidia’s expanding suite of generative AI technology.

In a separate statement, Picard highlighted that Generative AI brings remarkable creative opportunities for their players and team.