Baldur’s Gate 3 was the Game of the Year for 2023, and Larian Studios’ development of this title elevates RPGs to a level of immersion unparalleled in recent games. Swen Vincke directed the game, and he talked about all things gaming at the latest Game Developers Conference (GDC). He was in several interviews discussing generative AI for NPCs, and its use for the future.
Larian Studios makes every NPC matter in BG3, and this kind of new technology for dialog will make things easier in future games. So the possibility for advancements in gaming certainly seems to be there for NEO NPCs, the latest Ubisoft technology.
AI could benefit projects like Baldur’s Gate 3
The industry is going through a rough patch, with a lot of layoffs and studios that have been restructured numerous times. Analysts believe that AI-generated content has the potential to replace many of the jobs that companies are losing due to its impact.
Swen Vincke, director of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian Studios, talked about this in a recent interview and he also made a presentation about it and other subjects at the latest GDC.
Vincke was asked about the new NEO NPCs technology that Ubisoft presented at GDC, and he was asked if he would apply this technology in his studio. He said the following:
There’s not a lot of creative accomplishment to be had by putting the camera on a singular NPC that only has a couple of notes – I’m very happy for AI to handle that.
He also clarified that the most complicated job will be for the artist who has that job, and that they will not be replaced.
The NEO NPCs technology has a lot of potential
This new Ubisoft technology will make it possible to talk with NPCs using your voice; you can literally speak to them, and they will reply to you using AI. This kind of thing can change everything for NPC interactions, so it makes sense that Vincke is interested in implementing the technology.
Ubisoft has confirmed that NEO NPCs are just the first step and as of now the tech is just a prototype. However, when this invention becomes progressively better, it could make interactions more enjoyable.
The director of BG3 also said that the technology is not there yet and is a long way from being ready to use, but could make jobs a lot easier, so the artist could focus on more important things.
Vincke has also confirmed that Larian Studios is working on the next title, and it will have nothing to do with D&D or even be BG3-related. It will have a new tone, a unique style, and be very different from everything the studio has made before.
What are your thoughts on the use of AI for the creation of NPCs? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
