Artificial intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly one of the most exciting technological developments in recent times. It looks set to transform our lives and is being rapidly adopted and integrated by numerous industries and sectors.
The video games industry is no exception; AI is expected to take the games and interactive experiences we enjoy to a whole new level. Will Niantic's new generative AI be used on Pokemon Go? Let's find out.
Niantic Generative AI
US game developer Niantic shot to global fame after the release of Pokemon Go. The company is constantly looking for ways to improve its products, using cutting-edge technology to make games more immersive, realistic, and responsive.
Recently, Niantic has been developing its own generative AI technology and is primed to integrate the tech with its augmented reality game Peridot.
In Peridot, players are tasked with raising and caring for virtual creatures called Dots. These creatures grow over time and can display a range of different behaviors and characteristics. Think of Peridot like this generation's Tamagotchi, a virtual pet to love and look after.
With the company's AI technology, Peridot creatures will be able to interact with their environment more realistically. Given that the game is in the augmented reality format, this means they will be able to interact with and respond to real-world objects displayed on phone screens through the camera.
To do so, the technology makes use of a large language model that is integrated with the game's code to ensure the process runs smoothly and successfully.
Will This Technology Be Used in Pokemon Go?
Niantic released Pokemon Go in 2016, and the game became an overnight sensation. Backed by the brand power of Pokemon and the novel format of the game, Pokemon Go rapidly became one of the world's top games to download.
Despite being seven years old, Pokemon Go still attracts millions of players. However, to keep up with the rapidly evolving games industry, Niantic is going to have to come up with new ways in which to keep players engaged and coming back for more.
Implementing the new generative AI tech could well be the key to maintaining the success and popularity of Pokemon Go. It will work in the same way as Peridot, giving in-game characters and creatures the power to interact with real-world objects and environments.
This will make the game more realistic, immersive, and, importantly, fun. Players will feel more connected to the Pokemon they catch, and they will feel increasingly real and responsive.
What Does AI Mean for the Future of Gaming?
There's no doubt that AI is bringing about a technological revolution. It's being used everywhere, from video games to healthcare, and the power of this incredible technology seems almost limitless.
We've already seen AI impact video games; it can create more realistic non-player characters and even improve graphics and visual design. However, that is by no means the limit of AI's potential.
Gamers today are always looking for more. They want their gaming experiences to be as realistic and immersive as possible. To give them what they want, developers must be prepared to adopt the latest technical tools and techniques. AI will absolutely play an enormous role as we head into the future, and we can expect to see it take video games to the next level.
Conclusion
Niantic's new generative AI system looks set to be rolled out for its Peridot game soon. This may serve as something of a trial run before the technology is integrated into the company's flagship title, Pokemon Go, to improve upon what is an already excellent video game.
