Most “AI NPC” talk is about chatbots.

GTA 6’s leap is different: an IO Interactive crowd programmer says Rockstar is simulating every individual character (not fake looping crowds) at a scale he calls at least 10 years ahead of the industry.

600k+ animations. Dedicated team art-directing each NPC. Handcrafted rooms down to the marks on the table.

And zero generative AI.

The most advanced living city in games right now is still being built the hard way.