Before you grab those pitchforks, take a breath. This isn’t a defense of the so-called evil AI overlords—rather, it’s about how AI could actually help shape the future of gaming. According to the latest news from The Verge, Sony’s experiment with AI chatbot technology for Aloy might just work.
The thing about AI is that it’s not inherently bad. People often mistake it for a creativity-killing boogeyman, but when applied carefully, it can actually save developers time and enhance their work. However, there’s one rule that should never be broken: AI should never replace human creativity and talent.
That’s why I believe that when the PlayStation 6 is eventually announced, it has the potential to integrate AI tools in meaningful ways—especially considering Sony’s recent experiments with Aloy from the Horizon series. This could be a strong indicator that the third installment, Horizon 3, might utilize AI-powered tools.
But not the kind that steals from artists and undermines real talent. Instead, AI could be used to create lifelike immersion in NPC interactions. For example, gone are the days of selecting from three dialogue options—“What,” “Who,” or “Where”—as conversations with AI-generated characters could feel more natural and dynamic. This could push gaming realism to a new level, perhaps even allowing players to interact using the DualSense 6’s built-in microphone. That would be a major leap forward.
The discussions around AI and Aloy got me thinking about Sony’s future, especially after that now-removed video featuring Sharwin Raghoebardajal, a director of software engineering at Sony Interactive Entertainment, conversing with an AI-powered version of Aloy.
In the clip, he asks Aloy questions about Horizon: Forbidden West and she responds casually, narrating the events on-screen. Notably, the voice in the video wasn’t Ashley Burch—the original voice of Aloy. Burch has been vocal about her opposition to generative AI content and was a strong supporter of the Writers Guild of America strike advocating for video game voice actors. Instead, the AI-generated Aloy used a blend of generic text-to-speech audio.
While AI Aloy’s decision-making wasn’t exactly groundbreaking, what really stood out was the eerily realistic facial animation—powered by Sony’s internal Mockingbird system. This technology generates lifelike expressions that sync seamlessly with speech. It had a definite uncanny valley feel, but with time, it could be the key to more immersive and realistic games—especially as the PlayStation 6 remains unannounced.
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This isn’t the first time a game studio has experimented with AI-driven conversations. Ubisoft, for example, has been developing its own generative AI tool for creating dynamic NPC interactions. This kind of technology opens the door to procedurally generated, story-driven quests tailored to each player’s choice. If executed well, it could lead to completely unique experiences for different players. As ambitious as it sounds, AI could play a major role in building that future.
That’s why AI in gaming isn’t necessarily a bad thing—unless it is used for malicious reasons, that’s where it crosses the line. We don’t want to see another Ted Faro disaster in the future, right? Yes, AI remains a sensitive topic, as the technology still faces serious challenges. But given time, when the world is truly ready, we might be looking at a new frontier for gaming. And if the PlayStation 6 is real, Horizon 3 could be the game to take that first step.