Ubisoft has unveiled Teammates, a playable research project exploring advanced AI to deepen player experiences in games. The initiative turns non-player characters into dynamic teammates in a first-person shooter demo set in a dystopian future. It follows the company's recent integration of generative AI across its studios.
Project Overview
Teammates is described by Ubisoft as an 'AI experiment to change the game' and a 'playable research project' that goes beyond simple AI chatbots. Players assume the role of a resistance member infiltrating an enemy base to locate five missing team members and recover their final memories while combating foes. The demo emphasizes turning NPCs into 'real teammates' to add depth to gameplay.
Key Features
The project features an AI voice assistant named Jaspar, who can highlight enemies or objects, provide story and lore details, adjust game settings on the fly, or pause the game through natural voice commands. Jaspar is portrayed as a dynamic character that processes environmental cues and adapts to player inputs. Accompanying the player are two NPC squad members, Pablo and Sofia, who possess advanced AI capabilities. Players can directly command or chat with these NPCs, enabling responsive interactions.
'Our early experiments showed players were quickly connecting with the AI-driven NPCs and the voice assistant concept,' said director of gameplay GenAI Xavier Manzanares. He noted Jaspar's utility in guiding lost players, accessing menus, and sharing world details, suggesting potential applications across various game types.
Development Insights
Rémi Labory, data & AI director, highlighted how the technology enables personalized experiences with real-time character reactions based on player input. Narrative director Virginie Mosser addressed AI criticisms, explaining that human creativity remains central: writers define story boundaries and character motivations, allowing NPCs to improvise within set 'fences' without replacing creative roles.
Ubisoft has conducted closed playtests with a few hundred players and plans to refine the systems based on feedback, emphasizing a philosophy that combines technology with human ingenuity. The announcement aligns with CEO Yves Guillemot's recent statements on generative AI as a revolutionary tool for the industry.