Sony is experiencing artificial intelligence to improve the interactivity of characters in its PlayStation franchises. A leak revealed an internal demonstration in which Aloy, protagonist of Horizon Forbidden West. In the video, she answers questions asked by a player in real time, using synthesized voice and facial expressions consistent with her lines.
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The video, initially accessed by The Verge, was removed from Youtube, but generated repercussion in the industry. Narrated by Sharwin Raghoebardajal, Sony Interactive Entertainment's Software Engineering Director, the material shows a prototype developed in partnership with Guerrilla Games. The initiative is part of an experimental Sony project, which investigates how AI can create more immersive experiences in games.
To achieve this level of interactivity, the company uses advanced technologies. Some are text conversion to OpenAi's speech and GPT-4 and Llama Language models 3. Emotional technology Voice Synthesis (EVs) is responsible for the character's voice, while the mockinbird system takes care of lip synchronization and facial expressions. The demonstration occurred on a PC, but, according to Raghoebardajal, could run on PlayStation 5 with some adaptations.
It already impacts the development of games and generates debates on the industry
The use of artificial intelligence has been growing in the game sector, with 49% of the 3,000 developers interviewed in the Game Developers Research (GDC) 2024 stating that they already use Generative AI tools at work. Companies like Activision also exploit technology, but face criticism, as in the recent case of using IA images in marketing campaigns.
The adoption of AI in games opens unpublished possibilities, allowing greater interactivity and new forms of narrative. However, technology also raises concerns about its impacts on creativity and the role of human developers. While some companies see AI as a way to optimize processes and reduce costs, part of the community fears that excessive use can compromise the artistic identity of games.
Technology can revolutionize the way players interact with games
Although Sony has not yet officially announced plans to implement AI in future releases, the Aloy demonstration suggests a growing interest in technology. Raghoebardajal described the experiment as “a glimpse of what is possible” without detailing how it could be applied to commercial games.
If developed correctly, AI can transform the way players interact with NPCs (non -playable characters), making interactions more dynamic and personalized. However, technical and creative challenges still need to be overcome before this innovation becomes a pattern in the market.
For now, Sony's test is indicative that industry is moving towards a future where artificial intelligence can play a key role in the evolution of games. The question that remains is: To what extent will this technology be used to improve the player's experience without compromising human work behind the creation of games?
