Sony is experimenting with artificial intelligence to enhance character interactivity in its PlayStation franchises. A leak revealed an internal demonstration in which Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Forbidden West, responds to questions from a player in real time, using synthesized voice and facial expressions consistent with her dialogue.
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The video, initially accessed by The Verge, has since been removed from YouTube, but it generated buzz in the industry. Narrated by Sharwin Raghoebardajal, director of software engineering at Sony Interactive Entertainment, the footage showcases a prototype developed in partnership with Guerrilla Games. This initiative is part of an experimental Sony project investigating how AI can create more immersive gaming experiences.
To achieve this level of interactivity, the company uses advanced technologies. These include OpenAI's text-to-speech conversion and the GPT-4 and Llama 3 language models. The company's own Emotional Voice Synthesis (EVS) technology is responsible for the character's voice, while the Mockinbird system handles lip-syncing and facial expressions. The demonstration took place on a PC, but according to Raghoebardajal, it could run on the PlayStation 5 with some adaptations.
AI is already impacting game development and generating debate in the industry
The use of artificial intelligence is growing in the gaming sector, with 49% of the 3,000 developers surveyed at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024 stating that they already use generative AI tools at work. Companies like Activision are also exploring the technology, but face criticism, as in the recent case of the use of AI-generated images in marketing campaigns.
The adoption of AI in games opens up unprecedented possibilities, allowing for greater interactivity and new forms of storytelling. However, the technology also raises concerns about its impact 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 its excessive use could 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 demonstration with Aloy suggests a growing interest in the 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 how players interact with NPCs (non-player characters), making interactions more dynamic and personalized. However, technical and creative challenges still need to be overcome before this innovation becomes a market standard.
For now, Sony's test is an indication that the industry is moving towards a future where artificial intelligence can play a fundamental role in the evolution of games. The question that remains is: to what extent will this technology be used to enhance the player experience without compromising the human work behind the creation of the games?