Meta intends to bring more productive AI technology to games, especially VR, AR, and mixed reality games, as the company tries to revitalize its transition-marking strategy.
According to a task list, Meta seeks to research and create original “new consumer experiences” with new types of game play driven by genetic artificial intelligence, such as games that “change every time you play them” and follow “non-deterministic” paths. At the same time, the company aims to build — or partner with third-party developers and vendors to use — productive AI tools that could “improve workflow and time to market” for games.
The focus will be on Horizon, Meta’s family of games, apps and creation resources. However, it can be extended to games and experiences on “non-Meta” platforms such as smartphones and computers.
“This is a nascent field, but it has the potential to create new experiences that aren’t even possible today,” the job listing says. “Innovation in this space could have a dramatic effect on the ecosystem by increasing efficiency and enabling the creation of much more content.”
Meta did not respond to a request for comment.
The new efforts come as a blockbuster product remains elusive for Meta’s Reality Labs, the division responsible for the company’s various metaverse projects, including the Meta Quest headset. While Meta has sold tens of millions of Quest unitsis fight to attract users to the Horizon mixed reality platform — and return from billions of dollars in operating losses.
Meta recently pivoted its metaverse platform strategy, allowing third-party headset makers to license some of the Quest’s software-based features, such as hand and body tracking. At the same time, Meta has was upgraded investing in metaverse game projects — According to reports as a product of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s newfound personal interest in Quest headset gaming development.
Meta has telegraphed an interest in generative AI crossover experiences.
In 2022, Zuckerberg showed a prototype, Builder Bot, which lets people create parts of virtual worlds by describing them with prompts like “Let’s go to the beach.” And last year, in a blog post, Meta CTO and Head of Reality Labs Andrew Bosworth described AI tools being created that could help “level the playing field” in creating hyperlinked content.
“Just as Instagram has helped anyone become a creator, [these generative AI tools] it will not simply boost the power of individual creators,” he wrote. “[T]hey will also act as a force multiplier for developers, giving small teams the horsepower of larger studios and accelerating innovation across the board.”
Generative AI is starting to make inroads into game development, with companies like Inworld and Disney backing it Artificial Agency applying technology to create more dynamic game dialogues and narratives. Some platforms now offer tools for creating game art assets and character voices through AI — at bitterness of some game creators who fear for their livelihood.
Meta earlier this year said it planned to spend billions about genetic artificial intelligence and formed a new top level The team focused on productive AI products such as AI characters and advertisements. In April Zuckerberg warned that it will take “years” for the company to make money from genetic AI – suggesting the investment won’t change Reality Labs’ fortunes anytime soon.
