Zenless Zone Zero Uses AI to "Smoothen" Development Process Without Replacing Artists and Voice Actors
Zenless Zone Zero's producer Zhenyu Li revealed in a recent interview that AI-generated content plays a small yet significant role in the game's development process. However, the studio draws a clear line when it comes to generating art and voicework.
AI for Programming Efficiency
According to Li, AI technology is used in the game "program-wise" to "better smoothen the game progress." He explained that AI only makes up a small part of the programming in Zenless Zone Zero, mostly to help the programming team work more efficiently. "AI is used to smoothen the production process and make our work more efficient," he stated.
Art Made by Humans, Not AI
Zenless Zone Zero is known for its vibrant, urban art style, and Li emphasized that this signature style is not created with AI. "We want to create something from our own mind," Li said, noting that the entire team shares this belief. The commitment to hand-crafted art sets Zenless Zone Zero apart in the age of increasing AI-generated content.
Human Touch in Voicework
When it comes to voice acting, the studio maintains a strict no-AI policy. While miHoYo, the studio behind Zenless Zone Zero, has previously used an AI called Anti-Entropy for their Lumi_N0va virtual avatar, they are keen on employing stellar voice actors across multiple languages for this game. Li firmly denied using AI to generate voices, stating a definitive "No."
Advanced AI Technologies Employed
Besides Anti-Entropy, miHoYo also incorporates Nvidia’s Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE). This generative tech helps with facial animations and text-to-speech inputs, assisting in creating lifelike characters. This technology is similar to what is used by the Star Rail development team to enhance the facial appearance and behavioral patterns of characters in the game. The team is focused on the impact of AI on the gaming industry.
Measured Approach to AI
While many studios are adopting AI rapidly, Zenless Zone Zero continues miHoYo's trend of cautiously integrating this controversial tech. Li's comments suggest that the studio is only lightly dipping its toes into AI for now, despite the potential for broader uses.
By balancing the efficiency of AI with the creative ingenuity of human artists and voice actors, Zenless Zone Zero aims to deliver a unique and high-quality gaming experience.
Zenless Zone Zero is setting an example of how AI can be used to enhance, rather than replace, the human elements in video game development.
