PlayStation has introduced a new tool called Mockingbird that assists in processing 3D facial animation, emphasizing that AI is a crucial factor in shortening game development and software engineering times.
Hideaki Nishino, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), revealed the latest organizational strategy focused on fully integrating Generative AI technology into PlayStation’s game development process, aiming primarily to enhance work efficiency, reduce redundancy, and accelerate software engineering, quality assurance (QA), as well as 3D modeling and animation tasks.
One key innovation highlighted in the report is a tool named Mockingbird, designed to rapidly generate 3D facial animations from Performance Capture data.
PlayStation confirmed this technology is not intended to replace actors but to improve data processing efficiency to deliver faster results.
Currently, this tool is already in use at leading studios such as Naughty Dog and San Diego Studio and has been implemented in released games like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.
Beyond game development, PlayStation is also incorporating AI to enhance gameplay experiences and platform infrastructure, including the use of the AI agent Sophy in the Gran Turismo series, development of new AI-driven NPC characters, and backend systems for transaction management and improved content filtering on the store to better suit users.
However, while management views AI as an opportunity to lower creative barriers, a GDC State of the Industry survey reflects a contrasting perspective among developers: over 52 percent of game industry professionals see AI as having a negative impact on the industry, up from 30 percent the previous year. Concerns are especially strong among those in art, game design, and scriptwriting roles.