There’s a new generative AI startup in town called Tales, and its goal is to empower gamers and creators to essentially make whatever they want with mere text prompts. According to the press release, the technology is based on a Large World Model (LWM) called Sia. This LWM is allegedly capable of generating all the components of a video game, from environments, 3D models, and gameplay to NPC (non-player character) behavior – along with detailed metadata.
This Large World Model trains on gameplay data, video content, 3D assets, descriptive metadata and feedback over time. It’s how the LWM understands how games are structured, thereby improving its ability to understand complex game elements and mechanics. With it, Tales can output fully functional games using 3D engines, spatial reasoning algorithms, and NPC behavior systems.
Following a simple text prompt such as “make a first-person shooter in space”, the LWM can generate the requested game, which is instantly playable and can be subsequently customized. While conceived primarily for games, the technology could also be utilized to create virtual reality worlds, interactive experiences, and immersive educational tools.
Interestingly, Tales plans to involve the community in the training process of its LWM. They are launching a rewards-based incentive system where users can submit anything from gameplay footage to in-game assets and extensive environment descriptions. Tales also clarifies that it will be a ‘fully transparent dataset,’ tracked and documented to ensure provenance and preserve privacy.
Head of Product Jason Krupat says:
Tales truly feels like something out of a sci-fi film, and we can’t wait to make it a reality. The gaming industry is in desperate need of a revolution, and putting the power to create in the hands of gamers could be the start of a new era of entertainment that extends far beyond games. A lack of resources should never get in the way of a creative spark, and empowering creators in this way means so much to us.
While there are many possible applications of generative AI to gaming, there are several downsides and limitations to such an ambitious project as this one. To start with, there are the legal implications—the trailer already shows ‘copies’ of Horizon Zero Dawn, Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, Detroit: Become Human, and The Last of Us, to name a few. How long will it be until Sony or others come knocking at Tales’ door?
Moreover, while the games generated could look similar to an actual game on a surface level, they will inevitably be much more shallow in terms of gameplay mechanics and features, not to mention storylines or missions. Tales said the games would be ‘customizable,’ but to what extent? We don’t know yet. Anyway, Tales promises to launch its generative Ai technology in early access next month, so we’ll learn soon enough.
