Ubisoft and Riot Games have signed a new technology partnership and announced the artificial intelligence-supported “Harmless Communication” research project to prevent harmful player interactions. The work aims to create a cross-industry shared database and detection ecosystem that collects in-game data. In this way, artificial intelligence-based preventive control tools will be better trained to detect and reduce disturbing behaviors.
Ubisoft and Riot Games, which are active members of the Fair Play Alliance, believe that providing safe and enjoyable online experiences in games is possible by working together and sharing information. Therefore, this work is a continuation of both companies’ journeys to create game structures that provide more rewarding social experiences and are free from harmful interactions.
With the research project “Harmless Communication”, Ubisoft and Riot Games explore how to lay the technology foundations for future industry collaborations and how to create a system that will ensure the ethics and confidentiality of those efforts. The database to be created will cover all kinds of players and in-game behavior, thanks to Riot Games’ highly competitive and Ubisoft’s wide variety of games. In this way, the artificial intelligence systems of Riot Games and Ubisoft will be better trained.
“This project is an important step towards a healthier and safer interaction in our games”
Riot Games’ Technology Research Leader Wesley Kerr made the following statements on the subject:
“Annoying behavior is not a game-specific issue. Every company with an online social platform is looking for a solution to this compelling problem. That’s why we’re committed to working with industry partners like Ubisoft, who aim to build safe communities and create positive experiences online. This project is an important step towards healthier, safer and more comprehensive interaction in our games. “It’s also a great example of Riot’s pervasive determination and work to be able to develop such innovative systems.”
Yves Jacquie, Chief Director of Ubisoft La Forge;
“Annoying player behavior is a problem that we take very seriously and that is very difficult to solve. Although at Ubisoft we have been working on major measures to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for a while, we believe that we as the gaming industry can come together and solve this problem. This is what we have established with Riot Games. Through our technology partnership, we will be able to discover ways to more effectively prevent negative behavior as designers of the environments our communities connect to.” said.
The “Harmless Communication” research project, which has just started, is the first step in a passionate cross-industry project that aims to benefit all gamer communities in the future. As part of the initial research discovery, Ubisoft and Riot will share findings from the first phase of this work with the industry, regardless of the outcome.
