ValorAI: The Future of Gaming
Defios Inc., based in Takizawa, Iwate, has announced that Manabu Seiko, a former president of Capcom Mobile and GM of CAPCOM USA eSports, will join the company as an advisor. This strategic move marks a significant step in Defios’s mission to innovate within the gaming industry using AI technologies. Seiko’s extensive experience in mobile gaming uniquely positions him to guide Defios as they leverage their cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Seiko Manabu's Vision
Manabu Seiko has been a noteworthy figure in the gaming world, starting his career at Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) before transitioning to Capcom, where he excelled as a producer. Notably, he launched "Smurfs' Village" in 2010, introducing the freemium model to mobile gaming. This title became a massive success, ranking number one on the App Store in 64 countries. His career has been characterized by a series of hits across various markets, including North America, Japan, the UK, and Thailand.
In his new role, Seiko expressed confidence that the fusion of AI and gaming represents a global trend. He believes that ValorAI will be pivotal in evolving the gaming experience by utilizing Japan-origin technology to create global opportunities.
ValorAI: The Game-Changer
ValorAI is a middleware solution designed to seamlessly integrate generative AI into games without high costs. It allows developers to easily create AI NPCs and systems using a no-code interface. This innovative approach not only simplifies AI integration but also slashes API costs significantly, addressing one of the primary challenges faced in generative AI applications.
The middleware supports multiple game engines, including Unity and Unreal Engine, and is equipped with high-speed runtime inference to ensure optimal performance. The current alpha version has already garnered interest from developers eager to explore its capabilities.
User-Friendly Interface
ValorAI features an intuitive UI that allows developers to connect nodes and control the behavior of the AI easily. These nodes include functionalities beyond standard chat AI, encapsulating emotional analysis, question classification, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). This flexibility fosters innovative AI-driven gaming experiences.
A Bright Future for Defios
Defios’s CEO, Taiki Kondo, expressed his excitement about welcoming Seiko to the team. With Seiko's proven track record of creating successful mobile games, Kondo believes that his insights will be instrumental in fostering an environment where creators can freely explore new ideas using AI technology. As part of their ongoing development, a seasoned team of developers is currently working on a casual horror game that will feature ValorAI’s capabilities.
Kondo emphasized that the potential of integrating AI goes beyond just enhancing NPC behaviors; it could lead to the creation of entirely new gameplay experiences. The team's collaboration with Seiko is expected to yield groundbreaking results, promising an immersive horror gaming experience powered by AI.
About Defios
Founded in June 2021, Defios is dedicated to advancing edge AI technology and maximizing the value of innovation. Their mission focuses on lowering the barriers to adopting cutting-edge technologies in real-world applications. By doing so, they aim to provide increased opportunities for developers and creators in the gaming space.
Defios operates from multiple locations, including its headquarters in Takizawa and research facilities in Morioka and Tokyo. They are committed to revolutionizing the gaming industry with solutions that empower game developers to bring AI-driven concepts to life instantly.
Conclusion
As Defios continues to innovate with ValorAI, the collaboration with industry leaders like Seiko is set to propel the gaming landscape into new realms of creativity and interactivity. The future of gaming looks promising as generative AI opens doors to exciting possibilities.