Google Cloud and NCSOFT collaborate to leverage generative AI for game development

TL;DR:

  • Google Cloud and NCSOFT collaborate to utilize generative AI for game development.
  • NCSOFT’s VARCO LLM is a specialized model for high-quality content generation.
  • AI-powered tools include text creation, character management, player interactions, and dynamic storylines.
  • Generative AI is poised to play a significant role in the future of game development.
  • Google Cloud’s Tensor Processor Units (TPUs) optimize AI model training.
  • NCSOFT’s commitment to innovative gaming experiences.

Main AI News:

In a groundbreaking partnership, Google Cloud and NCSOFT, a renowned global game developer and publisher, have joined forces to harness the immense power of generative AI. Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure now fuels NCSOFT’s in-house large language model (LLM) known as VARCO LLM, ushering in a new era of game development.

NCSOFT’s VARCO LLM is a highly specialized model designed to generate top-tier content crucial for game development. Leveraging the capabilities of VARCO LLM, NCSOFT has introduced a suite of AI-powered tools that encompass text creation, the management of “digital” human characters, enabling player-to-virtual-character interactions, and the creation of dynamic storylines based on player actions. The result? A more immersive, dynamic, and engaging gaming experience that captivates players like never before.

Generative AI, or “gen AI” tools built on LLMs are poised to revolutionize the world of game development. Recent research by Bain & Company indicates that within the next five to ten years, more than half of the video game development process will rely on generative AI. To meet the burgeoning expectations of players, game developers require technology and infrastructure that can seamlessly scale to meet this growing demand.

NCSOFT’s journey into the realm of generative AI was facilitated by Google Cloud’s Tensor Processor Units (TPUs), which have played a pivotal role in the development of VARCO LLM. Over the past year, NCSOFT has diligently trained its models, optimizing their performance and cost-effectiveness with the aid of Google Cloud TPUs.

Lee Yeon-soo, Head of NLP Center at NCSOFT, expressed the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology within the gaming industry. He stated, “VARCO LLM is the culmination of our efforts and represents NCSOFT’s vision for the future of gaming. The exceptional performance and scalability of Google Cloud’s TPUs, coupled with unwavering support from its engineering teams worldwide, have empowered us to swiftly and cost-effectively develop VARCO LLM. We eagerly anticipate the continued collaboration with Google Cloud as we delve deeper into the boundless potential of generative AI in the realm of gaming.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between Google Cloud and NCSOFT in harnessing generative AI represents a pivotal shift in the gaming industry. With the potential to reshape game development, this partnership highlights the growing importance of AI-driven experiences in captivating and engaging players, setting a new standard for interactive entertainment in the market.

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