Rockstar NPC Tech patent is the talk of GTA 6

A new patent filed by Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive suggests the studio is exploring new game systems to increase situational awareness of its NPCs.

The patent, titled “Virtual Navigation System and Method in a Gaming Environment,” describes technology aimed at creating a “realistic experience” in video games by making AI smarter to sense their environment. More specifically, the patent targets the driving behaviors of NPCs vehicles.

Currently in video games, NPCs can only detect a few objects in their immediate vicinity. This level of detection is usually relegated to other cars almost exclusively, which is why NPC drivers tend to not only bump into each other, but also break into items found in the world. With this new patent, however, Rockstar is looking to give NPCs a distinct driving profile.

According to the patent – which was filed by Rockstar associate CTO David Hynd and lead AI programmer Simon Parr – an NPC could “define their own specific characteristics for crossing road junctions.” Roads in games are linked together like dotted lines, joined in nodes that the AI ​​reads to determine its path. This new method would give NPCs a sense of autonomy on the road. If a road is saved with traffic, NPCs might decide to take another road. If the roads are slippery from the rain, NPCs might avoid them.

In addition to analyzing weather conditions and making judgments based on these external circumstances, NPCs could recognize stationary obstacles in the road – like a car crash – and work around them. Additionally, the behavior of an NPC driver might change dynamically depending on the situation, such as slowing down to drive on residential streets.

Additionally, with this patent, NPCs could take into account other external factors, such as speed limits, handling and top speed, turns and maneuvers, and braking times. This is all aimed at creating a more realistic driving experience when you are on the road with NPCs.

Of course, it should be noted that a registered patent does not mean that it will be part of a project. This also does not mean that Rockstar intends to use the technology on which it is filing a patent. It just suggests that the studio is looking for ways to improve on the current NPC design.

Although the patent does not mention any projects associated with Rockstar, it has sparked speculation from Reddit users that it has some sort of connection to Grand Theft Auto 6. The authors note that the technology is being built for. “virtual browsing and object management in a networked multiplayer gaming community” and targeting PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Neither means much, but if the patent becomes a suitable Rockstar technology , it could appear in Grand Theft Auto 6 or the hugely popular Grand Theft Auto Online.

In other GTA news, Rockstar brings the seven-year-old Grand Theft Auto 5 to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S later this year. PlayStation Plus subscribers playing on PlayStation 4 will receive cash bonuses in GTA Online each month until the mode hits Sony’s next-gen console.