Ubisoft has announced their latest research project, an AI-powered NPC that is set to make conversations within games “more real”.
However, the internet isn’t so keen.In a dedicated blog post, Ubisoft explained that the NEO NPC project uses generative AI technology to turn the “dream” of an actual conversation with an NPC in a video game into a reality and a prototype was shared at the Game Developers Conference 2024.The project was also shared across social media alongside a screenshot of a conversation with an AI-powered NPC called Bloom. “Imagine proudly showing this robotic soulless nonsense off as the best example of your AI storytelling and not being embarrassed,” wrote one user with another adding: “The idea of AI creating ‘realistic’ NPCs is based on a false myth that videogames are ‘worlds’ as opposed to ‘media texts created by people to express ideas and tell stories’.
Why would I want to listen to dialog nobody wrote?”Some fans called the project soulless while others pointed out that following a wave of lay-offs, companies like Ubisoft should be investing in people. “Personally I don’t play games to talk to ‘real’ pretend-people.
I play them to experience art made by other humans and see their way of making sense of this world.”Personally I don't play games to talk to "real" pretend-people, I play them to experience art made by other humans, see their way of making sense of this world.
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