Meta to Integrate Generative AI in Metaverse Games

Meta is set to enhance its metaverse strategy by incorporating generative AI technology into its virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality games. The company aims to revitalize its metaverse initiatives, which have struggled to gain traction.

According to a recent job listing, Meta is exploring new consumer experiences powered by generative AI, such as games that evolve with each playthrough and follow non-deterministic paths. The company is also looking to develop or collaborate on AI-powered tools to streamline game development and reduce time-to-market.

The primary focus will be on Horizon, Meta’s suite of metaverse games, apps, and creation tools. However, these innovations could extend to games and experiences on other platforms, including smartphones and PCs.

“This is a nascent area but has the potential to create new experiences that are not even possible to exist today,” the job listing states. “The innovation in this space could have a dramatic effect on the ecosystem as it should increase efficiency and allow considerably more content to be created.”

Meta did not respond to a request for comment on these developments.

The push towards generative AI comes at a time when Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for its metaverse projects, faces significant challenges. Despite selling millions of Quest headsets, Meta has struggled to attract a substantial user base to its Horizon platform and has incurred billions in operating losses.

Recently, Meta adjusted its metaverse strategy, allowing third-party manufacturers to license Quest’s software features, such as hand and body tracking. Simultaneously, Meta has increased its investment in metaverse game projects, driven by CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s renewed interest in gaming for Quest headsets.

Meta’s interest in generative AI for the metaverse is not new. In 2022, Zuckerberg introduced Builder Bot, a prototype that allowed users to create parts of virtual worlds through prompts. Last year, Meta’s CTO and Reality Labs head, Andrew Bosworth, highlighted generative AI tools that could democratize content creation in the metaverse.

“Just like Instagram helped anyone be a creator, [these generative AI tools] won’t just boost the power of individual creators,” Bosworth wrote. “[They] will also act as a force multiplier for developers, giving small teams the horsepower of larger studios and accelerating innovation across the board.”

Generative AI is already making its way into game development, with companies like Disney-backed Inworld and Artificial Agency using the technology to enhance game dialogues and narratives. Various platforms now offer AI tools for generating game art assets and character voices, raising concerns among some game creators about job security.

Earlier this year, Meta announced plans to invest billions in generative AI, forming a new team focused on AI products like AI characters and ads. In April, Zuckerberg acknowledged that it would take years for these investments to become profitable, indicating that Reality Labs’ financial turnaround is not imminent.

Meta’s continued investment in generative AI reflects its commitment to transforming the gaming and metaverse landscape, despite the long-term nature of these projects.