Ubisoft, the French video game publisher known for titles including the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ and ‘Far Cry’ franchises, has revealed ‘Teammates’, a first-person shooter that showcases the company’s latest advancements in AI technology. The game, which is built on the Snowdrop engine, features AI-powered squadmates named Pablo and Sofia, along with an AI assistant named Jaspar. Players can issue natural voice commands to direct the squadmates in combat and puzzle-solving scenarios, with Jaspar providing mission tracking and guidance. This project marks Ubisoft’s first playable generative AI research project, highlighting the company’s commitment to AI integration in gaming.
Developed by the same team responsible for Ubisoft’s Neo NPCs technology, which was showcased at GDC 2024, ‘Teammates’ represents a significant step forward in the use of AI in game development. The project comes at a time when Ubisoft is refocusing its efforts after its earlier foray into NFTs and the metaverse, which faced criticism and mixed results. The move away from its digital asset initiatives marks a notable shift in the company’s strategic direction.
While the AI technology in ‘Teammates’ is being positioned as a key innovation, Ubisoft’s past experiments with NFTs and the metaverse have raised questions about the company’s ability to execute on ambitious projects. The failure of its NFT initiative, which was criticized for its high costs and limited appeal, has led to a re-evaluation of its digital strategies. The introduction of ‘Teammates’ suggests that Ubisoft is prioritizing the development of AI-driven content over its earlier digital asset-based approaches. The game’s success could have significant implications for the gaming industry, as other developers may look to Ubisoft’s approach as a blueprint for integrating AI into their own projects.