Meta once again injects generative AI application experience into its metaverse platform Horizon Worlds, which will allow developers to build AI NPCs (non-player characters) driven by large language models (LLM) to achieveA more real-life interactive experienceThis update is expected to go live soon and will be a key development in the next phase of Horizon Worlds.
In the past, NPCs in Horizon Worlds relied on pre-scripted responses, making conversations between players and characters stilted and lacking depth. However, with Meta's continued investment in AI, these NPCs will now be able to engage in real-time voice conversations with players. Instead of just one-way output, these NPCs will respond based on context and player behavior. In other words, players will no longer be faced with "cold, programmed responses" but will instead have the opportunity to engage in more authentic, multi-layered interactions with characters.
Meta is featured in the latest developer update.Worlds Desktop Editor New FeaturesDevelopers can use this tool to customize character appearances, set background stories, and interact with them, turning NPCs into more than just props in the scene. These characters possess personalities, memories, and even story motivations. This means that characters players encounter in Horizon Worlds in the future may exhibit completely different interaction patterns, further increasing the sense of immersion.
Meta has already introduced AI NPCs in worlds like Bobber Bay Fishing and Profit or Perish, allowing players to experience this new type of interaction. Compared to traditional fixed-line characters, these AI NPCs can demonstrate more flexible responses and may even gradually develop new behavioral traits as the game progresses.
This update further underscores Meta's commitment to deeply integrating generative AI with its vision for the Metaverse. From the introduction of AI assistants and AI modeling tools to the current ability for NPCs to engage in conversation, Meta is gradually injecting more "living elements" into its virtual worlds. In the future, developers will be able to not only design environments and quests, but also create "virtual residents" who engage with players over the long term. This may be a crucial step in making the Metaverse a truly organic social space.
With the upcoming Meta Connect conference, Meta is widely expected to unveil more details about the integration of generative AI and Horizon Worlds. This will allow AI NPCs to be used not only by game developers but also in education, social networking, and business applications. For players, characters in the Metaverse will no longer be mere background information, but digital companions who can collaborate with them in their experiences.
