Ubisoft Unveils AI-Powered NPCs in Groundbreaking Tech Demo
In a recent tech demo, French video game publisher Ubisoft showcased their innovative “neo NPCs”—AI-driven characters that engage in natural language interactions with players. Powered by Nvidia‘s suite of tools for building digital humans, these NPCs promise to revolutionize the gaming experience.
Conversing with Bloom: A Friendly AI Companion
During the demo, I had the opportunity to chat with Bloom, a neo NPC sporting a potato-like face and a snug black beanie. Our text-based conversation, displayed at the bottom of the screen, revolved around my in-game strategy and combat prowess. Bloom’s voice, while slightly mechanical, remained pleasant throughout our exchange.
Overcoming Social Anxiety in Virtual Interactions
Mélanie López Malet, a senior data scientist at Ubisoft, revealed that the team incorporated goals into NPC interactions after observing players’ initial hesitation to engage with characters. Some players experienced a form of social anxiety, unsure of how to approach seemingly busy or angry NPCs. Malet views this as a positive sign, indicating that the AI characters are successfully triggering players’ social instincts.
“There are some things you don’t say out loud, you know?”
Malet also noted that players are more inclined to open up and share personal details during text conversations with NPCs, as opposed to verbal interactions.
Pushing Boundaries and Navigating Challenges
The demo’s second and third parts, while less engaging, highlighted the challenges of creating AI characters. Players, myself included, often feel compelled to test the limits of these NPCs by asking personal questions or attempting to distract them during critical moments. Malet acknowledges this behavior as a normal part of the process, likening it to playing with a toy.
As AI characters become more prevalent in mainstream games, developers must strike a balance between allowing player freedom and preventing characters from going off-script. Ubisoft’s AI is not yet ready for public release, and the demos shown are not playable by the general audience, where the real stress testing can commence.
The Future of AI in Gaming
Despite the current limitations, the potential for AI in gaming is vast. From enhancing dating sims to deepening character bonds in series like Mass Effect, the novelty and role-play opportunities are enticing. While there is still an uncanny and somewhat wooden aspect to these interactions, Malet emphasizes that the team has only scratched the surface of what they can achieve.
As Bloom and other neo NPCs continue to evolve, players can look forward to more immersive and engaging experiences in the near future.
5 Comments
Honestly, NPCs will start giving us existential crises soon, mark my words!
Real talk, the day NPCs pass the Turing test is when I’ll consider quitting my job to game full-time.
AI is revolutionizing NPC depth, making every game replay unique!
The blending of AI and NPCs is crafting worlds where getting friend-zoned by a digital character isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable!
Wait till NPCs start ghosting us because they’re too advanced to deal with our drama.