Grand Theft Auto VI To Feature Next-Gen NPCs

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games has filed a patent for a revolutionary “system and method for virtual navigation in a gaming environment”. The patent did not refer to any specific games, but the creation is credited to David Hynd and Simon Parr, Tech Director, and AI Lead at Rockstar North, the studio that is allegedly working on Grand Theft Auto VI.

The document describes an innovative system that allows NPC to navigate around a virtual environment, it’s expected that NPC will be able to navigate and behave more realistic.

“Conventional systems only provide limited resources for automating NPCs,” the patent states. “For example, processing power, memory, and efficiency only allow for a predetermined number of NPC controlled cars in any single instance of a conventional system.”

It’s also stated that the new technology can see more than a predetermined number of NPC controlled cars in a video game for a realistic experience. It seems like Rockstar’s new GTA will improve on some of its biggest limitations, all the installments in the franchise have suffered from poor NPC-controlled vehicles, with most of the cars repeating themselves within blocks or sections of the city.

Grand Theft Auto VI will essentially feature smarter NPCs that can detect inputs of the player or other NPCs at a distance, they can know how to deal with roadblocks or similar obstructions.

This new system described in the Take-Two Patent can offer more immersive open-world games as NPCs can drive slower on residential-type roads or having to perform certain maneuvers to avoid oncoming traffic on single-lane streets” the patent explains. The limits of the new technology are beyond what’s been revealed in the patent, there is much more to be considered.

Grand Theft Auto VI is currently being developed according to information revealed by Jason Schreier, the new  ‘system and method for virtual navigation in a gaming environment’ suggest that the game will be next-gen exclusive. Recent rumors affirm that the game will feature: Carcer City and Vice City fictitious cities based on Boston and the East Coast of the USA respectively.

Source: Patent Application Summary

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