Learn how we're updating our Drivatar AI capabilities using a new multi-line system.
Let’s talk about the Drivatar AI in Forza Motorsport, and how we’ve been working on important changes for our community to improve the experience of driving against the AI in traffic. We’re excited to share a preview of those updates today, which you can look forward to trying in the game when Update 20 is released this May.
Before we jump into the changes, we want to reflect on the AI system we created for Forza Motorsport in 2023, and how it has evolved since the release of the game.
Since launch, we’ve made improvements to passing behavior, reduced instances of unnecessary braking, and prevented cars from following the racing lines too strictly. We also added support for new tracks and events, such as the oval circuits that are featured in NASCAR.
With Forza Motorsport, our goal was to make the AI more competitive with our fastest players. We run the simulation through thousands of laps on a per track layout, per car type basis. This builds a custom racing line, enabling the AI to drive really fast on any given track. To dial in the AI system, we also gathered feedback from the community, including sim-racers and professional racing drivers, to help us achieve the desired pace and proficiency. This process even included input from some of our own designers here at Turn 10, who compete in autocross and racing events in their free time.
When driving in traffic, the system frequently moves to a dynamic racing line as the Drivatars try to find their own ideal line on the track. This can result in sub-optimal driving performance, such as collisions, AI driving off track, or things that a professional driver would not do. Here is what we would like to see in our Drivatar AI to ensure you can enjoy fun and engaging single-player racing:
- Faster, even when they are not on the optimal racing line.
- Skilled and defensive, providing exciting competition.
- Capable of overtaking the player and passing other AI opponents without veering off track.
- Able to better limit collisions and off-track behaviors, including awkward mergers when they attempt to return to the ideal racing line.
To get us closer to the outcomes listed above, we've developed and will be releasing a multi-line AI system that is trained on multiple lines of traffic, giving Drivatars more options for the optimized racing lines they can follow. This update should improve side-by-side racing in heavy traffic scenarios, allowing AI to skillfully and consistently race without erratic driving behavior when it's not forced to stay on the optimal line.
Another great aspect of our new multi-line system is that the AI can now elegantly blend between different racing lines in traffic. Like before, they can still drive fast by themselves, however with this update they also benefit from race start behavior improvements, collision avoidance, situational awareness, and improved passing behavior. All while being able to drive fast and safe when around other opponents on the track.
The new multi-line system is the new foundation for Drivatar AI training in Forza Motorsport. As we look ahead, it sets us up for more authentic opponents in our games – building offensive and defensive behaviors that will lead to more competitive and engaging racing.
We can’t wait for you to compete against the new Drivatar AI that is being released with Forza Motorsport Update 20 next month. As always, we will be keen to hear your thoughts about it and how you would like to see it further evolve in the future.
