HoYoverse, developers of the recently released role-playing game Honkai: Star Rail, has just revealed that its team utilized some AI technology during the production of the title. The use of AI is on the rise, and it is not surprising for big companies like HoYoverse to find significant ways to use the technology, especially when it comes to large-scale releases such as Honkai: Star Rail.
Despite being released only on April 26, Honkai: Star Rail has already achieved massive success within the gaming community. The title has completely different gameplay and features from its predecessor, Genshin Impact, making it feel like a breath of fresh air for HoYoverse’s fan base. What’s more, many of the design flaws from the company’s other titles have been addressed, making Star Rail much easier to get into and stay in for most players. Now that the game has already been successfully launched, it seems HoYoverse probably does not feel the need to hide anymore how it has used AI technology during production.
In a recent interview with IGN, the HoYoverse development team shared that AI technology was used in certain parts of Honkai: Star Rail. According to the developers, they used AI techniques specifically for the Honkai: Star Rail characters, particularly their “facial appearance and behavioral patterns.” The team’s goal was likely leaning towards enhancing the players’ already immersive experience within the game, providing more seamless and smooth interactions with the different personalities they will meet and play with in the RPG.
For fans who are worried that the company will take the use of AI technology too far, HoYoverse reassures the player base that it has no intention of doing so. In the interview, the developers shared that no AI technology was used in the writing of Honkai: Star Rail‘s story, and that the team still believes that there are certain areas in the game that AI techniques should not touch yet. IGN also asked HoYoverse about future updates for Honkai: Star Rail but the devs were not able to disclose anything concrete or ground-breaking yet.
Despite all the stigma around AI technology, it is likely interesting for the avid HoYoverse fan base to see how large companies can ethically use AI techniques. There is no doubt that AI can be used in some ways to help grow the game industry. Hopefully HoYoverse’s current stance will appease the players and that it will not affect Honkai: Star Rail’s future nor the upcoming projects in the company’s line-up.