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Microsoft has introduced its Copilot for Gaming, an innovative AI-powered assistant designed to enhance player interactions on Xbox platforms.
During a demonstration, users can engage with the AI sidekick by asking questions related to game controls, with the assistant providing responses to help improve gameplay.
In a recent video, Fatima Kardar, Corporate Vice President of Gaming AI, and Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation at Microsoft, shared insights about the Copilot project, which will launch in preview on mobile devices starting in April. This initiative draws inspiration from Krafton’s showcase that featured an AI partner in the PUBG battle royale game.
Microsoft is heavily investing in AI within the gaming sector, aligning with the company’s broader commitment to AI technologies. Its CoPilot initiative is part of a wider effort to harness large language models (LLMs) to facilitate the integration of generative AI into gaming experiences.
Xbox has already begun testing its Gaming CoPilot with the popular game Overwatch 2.
The objective of this technology is to translate innovative concepts into valuable gaming experiences, as emphasized by Microsoft’s AI leaders during a recent press conference. This initiative involves adopting a more experimental approach and allowing players to engage with and provide feedback on new tech developments early in the process. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted these advancements in a tweet.
This approach indicates a shift in how Microsoft will present new technologies, opting to share them at earlier stages of development, which may result in less polished presentations. To refine the offerings, the company intends to incorporate player feedback based on live tech demonstrations.
Initial demos revealed some latency issues when players posed questions to the AI assistant. The delay appeared to stem from the AI needing to access a datacenter for responses.
Given the lag, the AI’s support may be more suitable for intervals between matches rather than during live gameplay. However, players found the information helpful, as one participant was curious about their in-game death in Overwatch. The post-match feedback, despite the delay, offered valuable insights regarding a specific weapon’s impact, potentially aiding gameplay understanding for newer users. Similar feedback in Minecraft proved to be equally beneficial.
To effectively implement this technology, Microsoft is focusing on several key areas. At the platform level, the company aims to streamline the onboarding process for players to easily access and utilize these AI companions. Additionally, Microsoft is leveraging AI to simplify the game development, publishing, and operation processes.
Central to these efforts is the investment in the Xbox Gaming AI platform designed to assist players with both minor questions and more complex issues. For instance, in Age of Empires, players could inquire about optimal siege strategies or seek assistance in coordinating multiplayer games with friends. The AI can also recommend games based on individual preferences and provide feedback on gameplay mechanics in multiplayer scenarios. Details about Microsoft’s GDC AI events are outlined below:
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venturebeat.com