Ubisoft is testing generative AI in Far Cry 7 as part of internal research and development efforts, according to an insider report from Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming. The company is exploring how generative AI might enhance both behind-the-scenes development and in-game player interactions, but early results are reportedly disappointing. Henderson claimed the generative AI in Far Cry 7 testing “looks like sh*t,” raising questions about whether Ubisoft’s broader AI investment strategy will deliver meaningful results.
Key Takeaways
- Ubisoft is testing generative AI prompts in Far Cry 7 for internal R&D purposes, per insider Tom Henderson
- The company posted a record €1.3 billion loss in its latest financial report
- Ubisoft is simultaneously developing an experimental AI-focused game called Teammates
- The AI testing targets both behind-the-scenes tools and in-game player-facing features
- Early generative AI results in Far Cry 7 are reportedly underwhelming according to industry insiders
Generative AI in Far Cry 7: What We Know So Far
Far Cry 7 remains officially unannounced, but the franchise’s next entry has become a testbed for Ubisoft’s generative AI ambitions. According to Tom Henderson, Ubisoft has been “testing prompts and whatever” in Far Cry 7 specifically for research and development. This is not a polished feature rollout—it is raw experimentation. The company is using a major franchise as a laboratory to understand how generative AI might function in a large-scale game environment, both in backend systems and player-facing mechanics.
Ubisoft’s financial reports confirm the company is “accelerating investments” into generative AI across multiple projects. Far Cry 7 appears to be one of several test cases, alongside the company’s dedicated AI-focused experience called Teammates. What distinguishes the Far Cry 7 testing is that it is happening inside an established franchise rather than a purpose-built experiment, suggesting Ubisoft wants to understand how AI integration works within existing game pipelines and design frameworks.
Why This Matters Amid Ubisoft’s Financial Crisis
Ubisoft’s €1.3 billion loss represents a critical moment for the company. Amid layoffs, delayed projects, and shareholder pressure, the company is doubling down on generative AI as a potential efficiency and innovation tool. The timing is significant: companies under financial strain often pursue technology bets as a way to reduce costs or unlock new revenue streams. For Ubisoft, generative AI could theoretically streamline asset creation, dialogue generation, or NPC behavior—but only if it works.
The insider report that generative AI in Far Cry 7 testing produces disappointing results directly contradicts the optimism Ubisoft has publicly expressed about its AI strategy. If early implementations look poor, the company faces a credibility gap between its financial investment rhetoric and actual technical outcomes. This is especially problematic when the company is already losing money and investors are scrutinizing every major strategic decision.
Comparing Ubisoft’s AI Approach to Teammates
Ubisoft is pursuing a dual-track AI strategy: Teammates, a dedicated AI-focused game experience, and integration experiments like the generative AI in Far Cry 7 testing. The distinction matters. Teammates is purpose-built to showcase AI capabilities in a controlled environment. Far Cry 7, by contrast, is an existing franchise being retrofitted with AI tools. This split approach suggests Ubisoft is hedging its bets—investing in both a flagship AI product and experimental integrations across established franchises. If Teammates succeeds while Far Cry 7’s AI testing fails, Ubisoft might pivot away from retrofitting legacy franchises and instead focus on AI-native experiences.
What Happens Next for Far Cry 7?
Far Cry 7 remains in development with generative AI as an active research component. Whether the reported disappointing results will influence the final game is unclear. Ubisoft could abandon the AI features, refine them significantly, or push forward regardless. The company’s public commitment to AI investment suggests it will continue experimenting, but insider reports of poor results could accelerate a pivot toward more selective AI integration—perhaps limiting AI to specific systems rather than attempting company-wide deployment.
For players, the key question is whether generative AI will improve Far Cry 7 or feel like an unnecessary gimmick. If Ubisoft’s internal testing produces underwhelming results, the final game may feature AI in limited, non-critical roles—dialogue, ambient NPC behavior, or procedural content generation. Alternatively, Ubisoft might strip AI features entirely and focus on traditional game design.
Is Ubisoft’s generative AI investment worth the risk?
Ubisoft’s strategy of investing heavily in generative AI while posting record losses is a calculated gamble. If the technology delivers significant cost savings or innovative gameplay, the investment could pay dividends. If it continues to produce underwhelming results, the company will have spent billions on a failed bet during a period of financial crisis. The insider report on generative AI in Far Cry 7 suggests the latter scenario is possible.
Will generative AI change how Far Cry games are made?
Generative AI could theoretically streamline asset creation, dialogue writing, and NPC behavior in Far Cry games. However, early testing suggests the quality bar is not being met. If Ubisoft can solve the quality problem, AI integration could become standard across the franchise. For now, Far Cry 7 remains an experiment—one that, according to insiders, is not going well.
Ubisoft’s generative AI in Far Cry 7 testing represents a crucial moment for the company’s broader AI strategy. The franchise is too valuable to serve as a dumping ground for poor AI features, but the company is under enough financial pressure that it might release imperfect AI tools anyway. The coming months will reveal whether Ubisoft can turn disappointing early results into something worth shipping, or whether the company will quietly shelve its AI ambitions for Far Cry 7 and focus on more traditional game development.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Hardware
