Meta plans to bring more generative AI technology to games, particularly VR, AR and mixed reality games, in a bid to reinvigorate its flagging metaverse strategy.
According to the job posting, Meta aims to research and prototype “new consumer experiences” with new types of gameplay that leverage generative AI, such as games that “change every time you play” or follow “non-deterministic” paths. At the same time, the company aims to build generative AI-powered tools or partner with third-party creators and vendors that could “improve workflow and time to market” for games.
The focus will be on Horizon, the Meta family of metaverse games, apps and creation resources, but it may expand to games and experiences on “non-meta” platforms like smartphones and PCs.
“This is a space that is still in its infancy, but has the potential to create new experiences that cannot even exist today,” the job listing states. “Innovation in this space has the potential to have a dramatic impact on the ecosystem by increasing efficiencies and enabling the creation of more content.”
Meta did not respond to a request for comment.
The new effort comes as Meta's Reality Labs, the division responsible for the company's various metaverse projects including its Meta Quest headset, has yet to deliver a blockbuster product. Meta has sold tens of millions of Quest units but has struggled to attract users to its Horizon mixed-reality platform and recover from billions of dollars in operating losses.
Meta recently shifted its metaverse platform strategy to allow third-party headset manufacturers to license some of Quest's software-based features, such as hand and body tracking. At the same time, Meta has been increasing investment in metaverse gaming projects, reportedly as a result of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's renewed interest in developing games for the Quest headset.
Meta has previously expressed interest in generative AI metaverse experiences.
In 2022, Zuckerberg showed off a prototype “builderbot” that could build parts of virtual worlds by describing them with prompts like “Let's go to the beach.” And last year, Meta CTO and head of Reality Labs Andrew Bosworth described a generative AI tool in a blog post that could help create a “level playing field” in the creation of Metaverse content.
Meta's Builder Bot tool, shown off at the company's 2022 Inside the Lab event. Image credit: Meta
“Instagram is helping everyone become a creator. [these generative AI tools] “It's not just about empowering individual creators,” he writes.[T]It also acts as a power multiplier for developers, giving smaller teams the power of larger studios and generally accelerating innovation.”
Generative AI is slowly being introduced into game development, with companies like Disney-backed Inworld and Artificial Agency applying the technology to create more dynamic game dialogue and storylines. Many platforms now offer tools to generate game art assets and character voices via AI, much to the disappointment of some game creators who fear for their livelihood.
Earlier this year, Meta announced plans to spend billions on generative AI and formed a new top-level team to focus on generative AI products like AI characters and advertising. In April, Zuckerberg warned that it would take “years” for the company to make money on generative AI, suggesting the investment is unlikely to turn around Reality Labs' fortunes anytime soon.