It is important to note that the system means that “each NPC can define its own specific characteristics to cross the road nodes.” These features include an understanding of acceleration, brake time and distances, maximum speeds and cornering speeds. NPCs and AI systems would be able to use these characteristics to generate more realistic drivers on the roads of a video game world.
Without jumping to conclusions, it is possible that a system designed by Rockstar programmers for a vehicle traffic system could be for Grand Theft Auto
6. The project is not mentioned in the patent, but IGN understands that GTA 6 is currently in development at Rockstar, so it is not unreasonable to assume that a new technology will be produced for the game.Noteworthy is a patent line that explains that the system is for “virtual navigation and object management in a multiplayer network gaming community. If the system was designed for a multiplayer game, this raises the question of whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will be an online experience Alternatively, perhaps this system was built to be implemented in GTA Online; the details refer to the Xbox One and PS4 consoles instead of the next generation machines where GTA 6 would probably be released.
In addition, the system is described to work through a cloud network that communicates with the players’ consoles. If the system is for GTA 6, even if the game is not just multiplayer, it may well be that the game requires an always-on connection to the Internet to provide processing of the NPC’s behavior.
In context, the patent includes an assessment of current deficiencies with NPC navigation systems, noting that limited resources mean that the simulation is reduced in complexity. Current restrictions on processing power and memory mean that some NPCs “disappear as the player approaches the NPC”, explains the patent. He notes that current NPC systems allow only a predetermined number of NPC-controlled cars, and that “video game players expect to see more than a predetermined number of NPC-controlled cars in a video game for a realistic experience.” In addition, the patent also describes that current conventional systems rely on behavior that “does not have a high level of knowledge” of traffic, which can prevent vehicles from being able to plan properly for blocked roads. The new system was designed to prevent situations like this.
Although Rockstar was silent on the development of the next Grand Theft Auto, it recently launched The Cayo Perico Heist for GTA Online, which was the result of seven years of game evolution and finally allows for a solo player approach to GTA content Online.
Matt Purslow is the news and entertainment writer for IGN in the UK.