Peter Molyneux on emotional AI, Natal, and Milo

Peter Molyneux - Image 1The Microsoft E3 2009 Press Conference wowed the world with Project Natal, a motion camera supposedly so advanced that it takes voice and gesture recognition to an entirely new level. Adding an extra kick to that affair was a little kid called Milo, who demonstrates exactly what Project Natal is set out to do. Lionhead head Peter Molyneux now breaks the magician’s code and reveals the tricks behind the illusion surrounding Natal and its boy wonder.

The Microsoft E3 2009 Press Conference wowed the world with Project Natal, a motion camera supposedly so advanced that it takes voice and gesture recognition to an entirely new level. Adding an extra kick to that affair was a little kid called Milo, who demonstrates exactly what Project Natal is set out to do. Lionhead head Peter Molyneux now breaks the magician’s code and reveals the tricks behind the illusion surrounding Natal and its boy wonder.

“People want to believe this so much,” Molyneux told Develop Online, laughing. “YouÂ’ve got to remember that weÂ’re not creating a piece of academic research; Milo canÂ’t actually think – weÂ’re just making the illusion that he can.” The Lionhead boss even compared Milo to a Derren Brown mind trick – he can’t read your mind, but he can collect and compile a few tricks together to make you think that he can.

Pinocchio, much? - Image 1

Pinocchio, much?

This is what Molyneux calls “emotional AI.” He then cited Populous and Theme Park as examples where similar but simpler technology can be found. Remember how you could adjust salt and ice content on the concession stands in Theme Park? More salt gets more customers. “That wasnÂ’t real AI, but people thought it was great – that these little people were getting thirsty and everything, but it was just a single line of code,” said Molyneux.

An illusion it may be, a damn good one it is. While I don’t believe that Milo would make it big as a game (probably more as an XBL helper or something), he did accomplish what he was created to do – demonstrate the visual and vocal capabilities of Natal. Besides, a virtual friend? That’d be a sad, sad game to play.


Would be fun if this was possible though:

Via Develop-Online

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