North Side Inc. is clearing the way for a modernized sci-fi adventure by removing the 2014 version of Bot Colony from Steam on September 28. This move addresses the confusion caused by having two iterations of the game under the same title. Players who owned the original release will need to wait for the re-launch to continue their experience.
North Side Inc. replaces 2014 Steam version with AI-enhanced sequel
The developer is preparing to launch Bot Colony _redux in Early Access starting in October 2024. This new version updates the original 2014 release with contemporary artificial intelligence tools. The game remains a sci-fi adventure that focuses on interaction between humans and bots.
The updated engine integrates Azure Speech-to-Text for voice recognition and ChatGPT for natural language processing. It also utilizes emotional text-to-speech technology from Elevenlabs and North Side's proprietary NLU system. These components allow for more dynamic and responsive conversations with in-game characters.
The original game was noted for being ahead of its time regarding AI integration when it first launched. The new _redux version builds on that foundation with current industry-standard voice and language models. This technical overhaul aims to provide a smoother interaction experience for players.
The transition from the legacy store page to the Early Access version marks a significant step for the project. North Side Inc. is prioritizing a clean slate to avoid player confusion. The new release will be available globally in October.
Source: IXBT
