GTA publisher Take-Two says AI can make NPC dialogue "really interesting and fun"

by Danny Craig ·

Rockstar Games

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has stated that generative AI could be a significant improvement over scripted AI, describing the latter as "not very interesting."

The details:

Speaking at the recent Paley International Council Summit (via Inverse), Zelnick discussed the potential uses of generative AI to create better interactions with non-playable characters who would otherwise have limited responses to player actions. “You’re a playable character, you’re interacting with the non-playable character. That interaction is currently scripted,” said Zelnick. “And the non-playable characters are generally not very interesting. You could imagine all the NPCs becoming really interesting and fun.”
Zelnick did not say whether or not AI technology will or has been used in Grand Theft Auto 6, which was officially announced this week. Whether or not Rockstar utilizes AI, it is expected to become a key component of development in the near future, with Xbox recently announcing a partnership with Inworld to develop a set of AI tools for its projects. Inworld's tech has already been used in the Sentient Streets mod to create open-ended conversations with GTA V NPCs.
The CEO did, however, confirm that GTA 6 would be unaffected by the potential video game actors' strike. Take-Two was in talks with SAG-AFTRA during its recent strike as the union negotiated better contracts, but it appears that the voice-acting work for Rockstar's upcoming title has already been completed.

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