Sony and AMD have announced a long-term collaboration to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that will improve graphics and gameplay not only on consoles, but also on PCs, including cloud services. This was announced by the chief game designer of the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, Mark Cerny.
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It must be said that the current partnership between Sony and AMD has already borne fruit. Thus, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro processors use RDNA 2 architecture, and PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) technology significantly improves image quality and performance without increasing the load on the system. However, the new project aims to integrate machine learning deeper into games.
Image source: PlayStation/YouTube
According to Cerny, Project Amethyst has two main goals – creating an ideal architecture for processing neural networks, especially those used for graphics, and developing high-quality neural networks for independent use by both Sony and AMD. “These developments should improve the quality of graphics in games, as well as expand the use of ray tracing and path tracing technologies, which will be key to increasing the detail and realism of graphics in games,” Cerny added.
Image source: PlayStation/YouTube
However, implementation of Project Amethyst technologies will take time. Cerny stressed that we should not expect immediate announcements of new equipment. The development of the console, according to him, will take about four years, so the use of Amethyst technologies will probably only be possible on the PlayStation 6.
It is noted that the collaboration between the tech giants is also aimed at “popularizing and democratizing” machine learning to make the technology accessible to game developers, allowing them to use AI not only for graphics, but also to create unique gameplay.