Home > News > GTA 6 Devs Patent New NPC Navigation System

GTA 6 Devs Patent New NPC Navigation System

Published:
GTA

GTA 6 could see some drastic AI improvements in NPCs, as suggested by a patent filed by Take-Two Interactive that was recently found by internet sleuths on Reddit.

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, filed for an NPC Navigation System patent that fans on Reddit have not found out about until very recently. The patent, titled “System And Method For Virtual Navigation In A Gaming Environment” was filed in April of 2019 then later published in October of the same year.

As GTA 6 is currently in development, speculation is that the patent is intended for use in the upcoming game, as it was developed by David Hynd, Rockstar’s Associate Director of Technology and Simon Parr, Rockstar’s Lead AI Programmer.

RELATED: GTA VI: Release Date, Alpha Information, Rumours, Leaks & More

Looking into the patent’s details, the system intends to vastly improve NPC and vehicle (including boats, cars and aircraft) pathfinding. The patent aims to help developers create “a realistic virtual world that is not limited by hardware or software limitations“.

GTA 6
Credit: Rockstar Games

While traversing road nodes, each NPC can define its own specific characteristics for traversing the road nodes. These characteristics can define the distinction between vehicle types/models that have various speed restrictions and benefits. By way of example, various characteristics and parameters can include acceleration, times/distances, braking times/distances, top speed, cornering speeds.

Credit: Take-Two Interactive

This would mean improved AI and different personalities/behaviours for NPCs – some could drive differently and at certain speeds depending on their vehicle or weather in-game. For example, an NPC in a sports car may be more inclined to drive at high speeds in comparison to NPCs in vans or sedans. NPCs may drive slower in residential areas or during rain, as well as being able to change their pathing based on other NPC or player behaviour —e.g., changing their pathing to avoid collisions.

RELATED: GTA Online: Cayo Perico Heist Update

Vehicle density is also mentioned, improved pathing would mean more realistic population of roads, with main roads being more densely populated in comparison to smaller side roads. As stated in the patent “NPCs can also account for exigent circumstances, such as a high-speed chase“, which further suggests that the patent will be utilised for a game set in more current times, as opposed to another Red Dead Redemption. Does this mean players can expect some very intense police car chases with the improved NPC pathing?

While this patent seems like it is most likely geared for utilisation in the next Grand Theft Auto game, even if it isn’t, we are looking at the next step for NPC behaviour in Rockstar’s games.

Like what you see? Don’t forget to share our work with the buttons below! Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter and check out our YouTube Channel for more great content from the Gamezo Team!

Photo of author

AUTHOR