After months of testing, Sony AI and Polyphony Digital have unveiled the global release of Gran Turismo Sophy 2.0, a groundbreaking AI racing agent for Gran Turismo 7 (GT7) on PlayStation. This release represents a significant advancement in AI-driven gaming, allowing players of all skill levels to face a formidable opponent.
“This marks a pivotal achievement in AI gaming,” said Michael Spranger, president of Sony AI, in an interview with GamesBeat. “Gran Turismo Sophy 2.0 is designed for PlayStation 5, enabling players to race against an advanced autonomous AI agent.”
Launching on November 1 at 11 p.m. Pacific time, players can engage with GT Sophy 2.0 in Quick Race mode. Unlike its previous limited release, GT Sophy now supports over 340 cars across nine tracks, covering an impressive 95% of player car models.
The development of GT Sophy began as a research initiative aimed at creating a superhuman AI capable of outpacing the world’s best drivers in Gran Turismo Sport. This endeavor showcased the potential for AI to enhance gaming experiences but highlighted the need for balance to keep gameplay accessible and realistic for all participants.
GT Sophy 2.0 is now fully integrated into Gran Turismo, creating a dynamic experience that adapts to player skills. “We’ve evolved GT Sophy from a research project into a game feature that provides all players with a challenging, human-like opponent,” Spranger explained. “Our mission at Sony AI is to enhance creativity and entertainment through advanced AI, and this milestone reflects our commitment to enriching player experiences.”
Feedback from players during the initial release earlier this year was invaluable in shaping GT Sophy 2.0 into a permanent feature. Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital, stated, “GT Sophy is revolutionary technology that will transform how players interact with racing games, ensuring Gran Turismo remains exciting after 25 years.”
In a recent interview at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion exhibition, Yamauchi noted that the AI has become competitive with top human drivers, leading to a unique learning experience on both sides. Randall Haywood, the winner of the 2023 Porsche Esports Challenge USA, believes humans currently have the edge, but the presence of AI offers new strategies for improvement.
Beyond its gaming function, the development of GT Sophy is showcased in a three-part documentary series, “The Team Behind GT Sophy,” which highlights the team’s achievements and research journey.
Sony AI aims to leverage AI technology to transform various sectors, including gaming. Peter Wurman, director of Sony AI America, noted that the objective is to create an enjoyable experience for diverse players rather than foster a win-at-all-costs battle between AI and humans.
Wurman observed that professional racers increasingly rely on virtual simulations to hone their skills. “GT Sophy has even learned high-level maneuvers, like drifting in a Lamborghini,” he said. Although GT Sophy requires significant computational power, it runs efficiently on the PlayStation 5, leading to ongoing research and data collection from global players.
As players engage with GT Sophy 2.0, they learn new strategies that evolve the racing experience. Spranger expressed excitement about how game developers will utilize this technology, hinting at its broader implications for game production.
“The evolution of Gran Turismo,” Wurman concluded, “has consistently focused on realism and excitement, and GT Sophy bridges any existing gaps in that experience.”
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