Gran Turismo Sophy is a new take on AI within a driving game. The project is a collaboration between Sony AI, Polyphony Digital, and Sony Interactive.
According to the development team, GT Sophy is the next level to AI and recent results would suggest they are right. They are claiming GT Sophy is an AI breakthrough, comparing this AI to other breakthrough AI that have mastered arcade games, chess, and multiplayer strategy games.
Does this mean that dive bombing AI into T1 and making up half a dozen places in a thing of the past? Or does this mean bullying AI out of the way is a tactic we’ll no longer be able to do?
The GT Sophy project has been in the works for six years, where GT Sophy was trained using deep reinforcement learning techniques. The development team didn’t build an AI to cheat the game, like many other AI do - they developed an AI that learns by completing human-like tasks. The reinforcement techniques “reward” or “penalize” the AI for specific actions it takes inside an environment.
Race Car Control - Operating at the edge
GT Sophy acquired a deep understanding of car dynamics, racing lines, and precision manoeuvres to conquer challenging tracks.
Racing tactics - Split-second decision making
GT Sophy showed mastery of tactics including slipstream passing, crossover passes and even some defensive manoeuvres such as blocking.
Racing Etiquette - Essential for fair play
GT Sophy learned to conform to highly refined, yet imprecisely specified, racing etiquette rules including avoiding at-fault collisions and respecting opponent driving lines.
On two occasions last year GT Sophy competed against some of the best Gran Turismo drivers
In July 2021, GT Sophy had the fastest lap in all three races and won two of the three races. Yet the human GT drivers won with the most points.
During October 2021, GT Sophy won all three races and finished second in all races.
GT Sophy has achieved a major milestone however PDI, SIE, and Sony AI will continue to develop and upgrade their AI’s capabilities as well as explore how this AI can be implemented in the Gran Turismo series in the future.
Additionally, Sony AI is also exploring new partnerships to enhance the gaming experience for players through AI.
What are your thoughts about GT Sophy? Is it about time AI in racing games took the next step?
According to the development team, GT Sophy is the next level to AI and recent results would suggest they are right. They are claiming GT Sophy is an AI breakthrough, comparing this AI to other breakthrough AI that have mastered arcade games, chess, and multiplayer strategy games.
Does this mean that dive bombing AI into T1 and making up half a dozen places in a thing of the past? Or does this mean bullying AI out of the way is a tactic we’ll no longer be able to do?
The GT Sophy project has been in the works for six years, where GT Sophy was trained using deep reinforcement learning techniques. The development team didn’t build an AI to cheat the game, like many other AI do - they developed an AI that learns by completing human-like tasks. The reinforcement techniques “reward” or “penalize” the AI for specific actions it takes inside an environment.
GT Sophy's learning covered three areas of driving skills:
Race Car Control - Operating at the edge
GT Sophy acquired a deep understanding of car dynamics, racing lines, and precision manoeuvres to conquer challenging tracks.
Racing tactics - Split-second decision making
GT Sophy showed mastery of tactics including slipstream passing, crossover passes and even some defensive manoeuvres such as blocking.
Racing Etiquette - Essential for fair play
GT Sophy learned to conform to highly refined, yet imprecisely specified, racing etiquette rules including avoiding at-fault collisions and respecting opponent driving lines.
On two occasions last year GT Sophy competed against some of the best Gran Turismo drivers
In July 2021, GT Sophy had the fastest lap in all three races and won two of the three races. Yet the human GT drivers won with the most points.
During October 2021, GT Sophy won all three races and finished second in all races.
GT Sophy has achieved a major milestone however PDI, SIE, and Sony AI will continue to develop and upgrade their AI’s capabilities as well as explore how this AI can be implemented in the Gran Turismo series in the future.
Additionally, Sony AI is also exploring new partnerships to enhance the gaming experience for players through AI.
What are your thoughts about GT Sophy? Is it about time AI in racing games took the next step?
