Following the announcement of launching an AI gaming software market, Unity, a gaming software company, saw a sharp overnight rise in its stock price.
On Tuesday, Unity's shares surged over 15% after the company introduced an AI software marketplace, the AI Hub, in its Unity Asset Store. This launch is aimed at accelerating the development of AI-driven games and enhancing gameplay.
Unity is a gaming software provider whose clientele typically includes game development studios and software developers. Developers distribute their software to game developers through Unity and charge through Unity's asset store.
The company stated that the solutions in the AI Hub span a range of functionalities. These include generative AI solutions, AI/ML integrated solutions (for workflow enhancement or project connection to AI providers), and behavior AI solutions (tools for developers to create behavior in the game world, from pathfinding and enemy logic to non-player character responses).
Unity announced that ten verified solutions will be published on its AI market. These "verified solutions" will undergo enhanced scrutiny, exemplifying the company's commitment to providing high-quality solutions, services, and long-term support.
The company's executives have been discussing the potential they see in the field of artificial intelligence in recent weeks, which aligns with the surge in their share prices.
In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, Unity CEO John Riccitiello stated that artificial intelligence would profoundly change gaming in several ways. One such change includes making game development faster, cheaper, and better. He affirmed that this transformation is already happening.
In a report on Tuesday, Wells Fargo affirmed Unity's new growth direction. The analysts suggested that the company might expand its operations beyond gaming, launching "digital twins" and other simulation products for enterprises.
Although they acknowledged that the consolidation of the interactive entertainment industry may lead to large studios developing and using proprietary game development tools/assets in the long run, they believe Unity's strong competitive position in the field remains unchallenged.
Here's a list of the 10 new AI gaming solutions launched by Unity:
- Atlas: A state-of-the-art generative 3D AI technology that enables the creation of assets and virtual worlds in a fraction of the traditional time required.
- Convai: This software gives AI characters in games and virtual worlds human-like conversational abilities.
- Inworld AI: Offers an advanced AI non-playable character platform, allowing developers to move beyond dialogue trees and create fully interactive characters with multi-modal personalities and contextual awareness.
- Layer AI: Allows game creators to upload their works and generate an infinite number of assets in their custom art style with just a few clicks.
- Leonardo AI: A transformative content creation suite powered by generative AI that simplifies 2D asset creation, textures, and easily generates full UV texture maps for 3D models.
- LMNT: Enables developers to unleash their creativity with AI voice, achieving immersive dubbing, lifelike characters, and endless replay.
- Modl.ai: modl:test is powered by modl.ai's AI engine and uses robots to simplify game testing through automation and expanding developers' coverage.
- Polyhive: An AI texture suite that allows 3D artists and developers to texture 3D assets within minutes using natural language.
- Replica Studios: The Replica Studios AI Voice Actors Unity plugin with Unity features seamlessly integrates with Replica Studios' desktop application.
- Zibra AI: Zibra Effects is a multi-functional, no-code toolkit that simplifies VFX creation and takes the immersion of virtual worlds to new heights through real-time simulation and realistic physical effects.
