Meta plans to bring more generative AI tech into games, specifically VR, AR and mixed reality games, as the company looks to reinvigorate its flagging metaverse strategy.
According to a job listing, Meta is seeking to research and prototype “new consumer experiences” with new types of gameplay driven by generative AI, like games that “change every time you play them” and follow “non-deterministic” paths. In parallel, the company aims to build — or partner with third-party creators and vendors — generative AI-powered tools that could “improve workflow and time-to-market” for games.
The focus will be Horizon, Meta’s family of metaverse games, apps and creation resources. But it might expand to games and experiences on “non-Meta” platforms like smartphones and PCs.
“This is a nascent area but has the potential to create new experiences that are not even possible to exist today,” the job listing reads. “The innovation in this space could have a dramatic effect on the ecosystem as it should increase efficiency and allow considerably more content to be created.”
The new efforts come as a blockbuster product remains elusive for Meta’s Reality Labs, the division responsible for the company’s sundry metaverse projects, including its Meta Quest headset. While Meta has sold tens of millions of Quest units, it’s struggled to attract users to its Horizon mixed reality platform — and claw back from billions of dollars in operating losses.
Meta recently pivoted its metaverse platform strategy, allowing third-party headset manufacturers to license some of the Quest’s software-based features, like hand and body tracking. At the same time, Meta has ramped up investments in metaverse game projects — reportedly as a product of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s newfound personal interest in developing gaming for Quest headsets.
