New Challenger: Graphics On The Back Burner

Default Prime author Chris Stewart looks at the future of video games according to Ubisoft Montreal's vision where improving AI takes precedence over graphics. "To look impressive now, games have to really push the envelope of realistic visuals. Sure, games could look better, but why should we continue to focus on improving what is already the best thing about games? Ubisoft Montreal’s Yves Jacquier, executive director of production service, has gone on record saying “AI has always been the real battleground. The challenge is that, if you see an AI coming, you’ve failed. And that’s a problem we have to overcome as we create the impression of flawless, seamless worlds”. So it’s time to put the emphasis more on the gameplay than anything else. Apparently, over the next few years Ubisoft will be spending a lot of money (upwards of a million dollars) on developing new, hopefully pioneering, ways of producing games, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence."