French Firm Ubisoft Sees VR and AI as Future of Video Gaming

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Future of video gaming industry lies in virtual reality (VR) headsets and generative artificial intelligence (AI), especially with Apple’s debut in the metaverse utilizing a “mixed” headgear integrating VR and augmented reality, according to French video game company Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.

Ubisoft has a long history of taking chances when it comes to innovation. For example, before the Wii systems became popular in the 2000s, the business was an early collaborator of Nintendo.

With the forthcoming debut of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot believes in an interview with AFP that VR will be the future of video gaming.

“VR will eventually arrive,” Mr. Guillemot said, after a decade highlighted by the rise of free games on smartphones and the introduction of cloud gaming.

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“Apple is heavily investing in this area, which is fantastic for all of us,” he continued.

Apple’s Vision Pro devices will be available next year for $3,500, which is prohibitively expensive for the average population. However, Mr. Guillemot believes that the cash invested in this technology by the iPhone’s producer will help it see the light of day.

So far, Meta (Facebook, Instagram) has been a driving influence behind VR video games, forcing companies to create adaptations of their popular titles for their Quest headsets.

TV programs

Designing games on new platforms “doesn’t always work perfectly,” says Circana video game expert Mat Piscatella.

According to the analyst, Ubisoft is keen on diversifying during this moment of consolidation in the video game business. The business has dabbled in television material, including Mythic Quest, a smash comedy series on Apple TV+ that takes place – unsurprisingly – in a video game studio.

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Ubisoft announced on Monday that Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, an anime series, will launch on Netflix later this year.

It is set in “a dystopian and cyberpunk version of 1992” and stars characters from Ubisoft games. “The goal is to ensure that our brands can reach more players around the world,” Yves Guillemot explained.

Ubisoft also introduced a free mobile edition of its hit franchise during a marketing event in Los Angeles. Assassin’s Creed also has a VR version for Quest headsets.

Ubisoft also intends to produce a video game based on the popular flicks. Avatar, as well as the title Star Wars Outlaws, were produced in conjunction with LucasFilm.

Expanding Horizons for Future of Video Gaming

Designing games for new platforms “doesn’t always work out perfectly,” said Circana’s executive director of videogames, Mat Piscatella.

“But, by supporting new market entrants, Ubisoft is usually well-positioned should that new product or service type succeed, and placing many bets seems to have generally worked out pretty well for the company over the years,” the analyst said.

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In an era of gaming industry consolidation, Piscatella complimented Ubisoft’s diversification strategy as the company broadens its entertainment offerings. Ubisoft CEO Guillemot stated that the company would continue to expand into film and television streaming entertainment.

Ubisoft created the Apple TV+ smash Mythic Quest, a comedic series set at a video game studio. On Monday, the business revealed that Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, their animated series, will premiere on Netflix later this year.

AI Games and Future of Video Gaming

What about generative AI, which has sparked global interest but also skepticism since the publication of ChatGPT at the end of last year? For Yves Guillemot, it’s a “fantastic opportunity.”

“It’s like the invention of the mouse for the personal computer, it changed everything,” he explained.

“Games will become increasingly intelligent. “As game developers, we need to see how close to reality we can get,” he explained.

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For example, generative AI mixed with cloud computing capacity might give characters more freedom to respond in unexpected ways, such as when actual people meet strangers on the street.

“Video games are a $200 billion industry today because we’ve always surprised gamers with new things,” said Guillemot.

“AI, VR, and the cloud will make the industry even more appealing and enjoyable.”

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