Ubisoft Weighs In On The Potential Of Gen AI For Creatives In The Gaming Industry

I attempted to persuade Iron, one of Ubisoft's cutting-edge NEO NPCs, to join me for a casual outing to the pub, diverging from our original mission parameters. Her response, although polite, remained focused on the task at hand, highlighting the balance between creative freedom and structured gameplay. This exchange exemplifies the delicate interplay between total freedom and control in game design, as explained by Virginie Mosser, narrative director of the NEO NPC project. The integration of generative AI into game development sparks intense debate, with concerns ranging from job security for writers to the potential for biased NPC behaviors. Guillemette Picard, Ubisoft's SVP of production, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between creatives and tech professionals, ensuring that gen AI adoption is driven by artistic value rather than mere technological advancement. The GDC prototype serves as an experiment, gauging player reactions and exploring the vast possibilities of gen AI in gaming. While opinions on NEO NPCs are mixed, the team remains optimistic about the potential for transformative change in the industry, with a focus on player-centric storytelling and the emergence of new, dynamic narratives.