Summary
- Video game companies are increasingly exploring the use of AI in game development, even incorporating it for character interactions.
- Sony showcased a tech demo featuring an AI-powered Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West capable of conversing with players.
- The demo utilized AI tools like OpenAI’s whisper, GPT-4, Llama 3, and Sony’s Emotional Voice Synthesis for conversations and voice.
It seems almost every week about players complaining of the use of AI art, dialogue, or writing in a game. Only yesterday we reported that the recently launched Fragpunk has been getting a lot of slack for the alleged use of AI artwork in images for cosmetic bundles and other promotional content.
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However, it seems video game companies are determined to figure out how to leverage AI software into video game development – even industry leaders like Sony. According to The Verge, a now deleted video was sent to them showcasing a Sony tech demo that featured an AI-powered version of Horizon Forbidden West’s Aloy having a conversation with someone.
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The video was reportedly narrated by Sony Interactive Entertainment director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, who works on PlayStation Studios Advanced Technology Group’s video game technology, AI, computer vision, and face technology projects. The crux of the video was to demonstrate a model of Aloy that could have a conversation with players during gameplay.
While Raghoebardajal said that this was merely an internal prototype made in partnership with Guerrilla Games, the video reportedly showed the AI-powered Aloy in a demo setting as well as in Horizon Forbidden West as well. The response, voice, and facial expressions of the character were all powered by AI software, and not by voice actor Ashly Burch.
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Raghoebardajal revealed that the demo used OpenAI’s whisper for speech-to-text, GPT-4 and Llama 3 were both used for generating the conversation as well as decision-making. As for the voice, Sony used its proprietary Emotional Voice Synthesis tool to replace Ashly Burch’s voice.
It’s hard to think of a user case for this demo, especially for a series like Horizon. Why would players ever need to talk to Aloy, and why would she require AI-powered tech to answer? It’s probably just a prototype to show the higher-ups at Sony what the company has been doing in terms of exploring AI.
- Released
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February 18, 2022
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence