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The Simulation by Fable has announced the open-sourcing of its new tool for creating AI-driven simulations akin to Westworld. Based in San Francisco, The Simulation by Fable (formerly just Fable) is a team of seasoned experts, including Emmy winners, who have been exploring the nexus of games and AI with veterans from Pixar and Oculus for years.
Today, they introduced SAGA (Skill to Action Generation for Agents), a framework designed to help developers create immersive, AI-character-based simulations. A demo set in an 1800s Wild West town named Thistle Gulch showcases the technology.
Edward Saatchi, CEO of The Simulation by Fable, explained that SAGA is about bringing intelligent agents to life within simulations and allowing a community to develop around these innovations. He emphasized their goal to enable simulations filled with intelligent, action-taking agents.
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In Thistle Gulch, both the hero and villain are controlled by AI. The introduction of SAGA enables the creation of rich, detailed worlds rooted in historical or fictional narratives. Saatchi noted that the framework allows AI characters to execute unpredictable, complex behaviors informed by Reinforcement Learning through Human Feedback (RLHF).
During a demo, Saatchi illustrated SAGA’s capabilities in Thistle Gulch, where AI-driven characters make real-time intelligent decisions. An example scenario involves two AI agents, Sheriff Cooper and Blackjack Kane, who have conflicting goals following a murder in town. The sheriff tries to solve the case while Kane aims to avoid incrimination, each maneuvering in real time based on their objectives.
In various simulations, the outcome can differ, with the sheriff sometimes arresting the right person, sometimes being misled by planted evidence. The AI characters also have memory, which allows for more dynamic interactions and storylines.
In my demo, 17 characters went about their daily routines, with their own jobs and needs similar to those in The Sims. The characters also possess backstories but are not directly controlled once the game starts. Developers can set up plot points, like discovering a murder weapon, but the characters’ reactions remain autonomous.
The purpose of the demo is to resolve the murder by the end of the first day, with different potential outcomes based on how the AI characters interact and make decisions. The simulation unfolds dynamically, driven by the SAGA framework, making the narrative experience unique each time.
SAGA allows developers to build realistic, emergent simulations by adjusting the level of control and spontaneity. The framework supports varied applications, from historical reenactments to speculative futures.
SAGA’s development was influenced by academic research, including projects by Joon Park of Stanford and Jim Fan of Nvidia, which have pushed the boundaries of AI simulations. Inspired by but distinct from these works, SAGA provides a comprehensive framework for crafting intelligent, immersive simulations.
In the broader vision, The Simulation by Fable aims to foster a community of developers who can use SAGA to create complex, embodied AI agents. This technology could revolutionize areas like AI-powered TV shows, economic simulations, and more.
Saatchi emphasized the potential for these simulations to evolve into intelligent, independent agents that could operate beyond virtual environments. The ultimate goal is to create a living simulation with a million agents, guiding the development of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).
By open-sourcing SAGA, The Simulation by Fable encourages developers to innovate and experiment, pushing the frontier of AI-driven simulations. They plan to gather feedback and demonstrate new achievements at future events like the Virtual Beings Summit.
Saatchi expressed excitement about the future of AI simulations, envisioning a point where every human skill and thought can be represented by an AI agent. The journey towards AGI is a collaborative effort, with the community playing a crucial role in advancing the technology.
Overall, SAGA represents a significant step towards creating intelligent, immersive virtual worlds. The Simulation by Fable is paving the way for future advancements in AI and game development, with the potential to transform various industries.