Asian game developers use AI to breathe new life into characters
KIM JAEWON and WATARU SUZUKI
SEOUL/SHANGHAI -- Video game developers in Asia are racing to apply artificial intelligence technologies to their characters to give users more intuitive interactions and immersive experiences.
Krafton of South Korea is working with U.S. giants like Nvidia and OpenAI, while Chinese players including Novaserene Entertainment and NetEase are powered by DeepSeek, which surprised the world with its advanced yet affordable large language model early this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
21 hours ago
Kataoka Folding Screens: Japanese Tradition Made to Order
Ornate folding screens called byōbu have been part of Japanese interior décor since the sixth century. Today, Kataoka Byōbu, a specialty shop in the Mukōjima neighborhood of Tokyo's Sumida, uses traditional techniques paired with contemporary know-how to create original renditions of the decorative items that reflect modern tastes. The shop, founded in 1946, nestles in a residential area just a stone's throw from the Tokyo Skytree. Run by third-generation head Kataoka Kōta, it has drawn attention in Japan and abroad for its made-to-order services. While in high school, Kataoka spent time studying in the United States and was impressed by how fellow exchange students from other countries eloquently shared about their own cultures. He says that the experience opened his eyes, convincing him that folding screens were a tradition Japan could take pride in. This led him to join the family business, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who founded the shop, and his father. Since taking the reins in 2024, he has embraced Japan's uptick in foreign visitors as an opportunity to share the ancient charms of Japan's traditional folding screens 'More and more, people around the world are incorporating aspects of Japanese culture into their daily lives,' he explains, beaming. 'That includes using byōbu to add a touch of art to living spaces.' Kataoka Byōbu nestles in a quiet residential neighborhood. The first floor is the shop's showroom, and the second floor houses its workshop. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu head Kataoka Kōta says every person on his small, seven-member team plays a vital role in spreading the appeal of folding screens, from experienced craftsmen on down. (© ) Byōbu , which are Chinese in origin, have been used in Japan since the Nara period (710–94), initially to protect against drafts in sleeping quarters and as room dividers. They took on a more decorative role starting in the Muromachi period (1333–1568), with screens coming to display pictures in artistic styles ranging from modest ink paintings to ornate scenes depicted on gold-leaf backgrounds. Many of the masterpieces that have survived to the present were commissioned by samurai and aristocratic families as well as Buddhist temples. Hina dolls displayed in front of a folding screen. (© ) As there is little call for folding screens in modern homes though, demand has shrunk, with many producers closing their doors forever. Today, Kataoka Byōbu is the sole shop of its kind in Tokyo. Its main business is making screens for traditional doll manufacturers and other businesses specializing in seasonal decorations, an industry that itself is feeling the pinch of Japan's changing demographic landscape. Recognizing the shifting winds, the shop under began accepting general orders. It launched its made-to-order service whereby customers can purchase byōbu of their own design for special occasions like wedding anniversaries. As its customizing business has grown, the shop has also seen an uptick in orders from companies and local governments. A fashion display incorporates a special-order folding screen made by Kataoka Byōbu. (Courtesy Kataoka Byōbu) Photos and other images can be used to customize folding screens. (© ) A traditional-style work by a contemporary artist. (© ) Freedom of Expression Kataoka says that foreigners interested in traditional Japanese culture are another growing segment and now account for some 30% of the shop's sales. Motifs like pine trees and Mount Fuji are popular made-to-order designs. He and staff take orders directly at the store or interact online using texting apps to meet customer requests for aspects like size and color schemes, shipping the final creations nearly anywhere in the world. A folding screen ordered by a foreign customer featuring a Japanese maple in autumn and gold leaf. (Courtesy Kataoka Byōbu) Kataoka Byōbu's workshop. (© ) Kataoka enjoys meeting a wide variety of customer requests, declaring that 'the process of creating an original folding screen from scratch is a thrill.' Starting with a basic budget, the staff work closely with customers to come up with a design. Once this is finalized, artisans go to work in the store's second-floor workshop, preparing the frame, washi that serves as the canvas, and other parts. With larger, more intricate works, it can take up to three months to finish a screen. The finished products are checked carefully against the original design. (© ) An artisan at Kataoka Byōbu uses a traditional technique to smooth the surface of the folding screen in preparation for printing. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu has poured energy into spreading understanding of the traditional artform in Japan and abroad, including collaborations with foreign artists in exhibitions. Kataoka says that nothing brings him more pleasure than introducing people to the world of byōbu . 'I encourage everyone to drop by the shop while visiting the Tokyo Skytree and see the amazing skills of our artisans firsthand.' Kataoka Byōbu has a small museum showing tools and how screens are created. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu Address: 1-31-6 Mukōjima, Sumida, Tokyo Hours: weekdays 10:00 to 17:00; closed weekends and national holidays Getting there: one minute from the front exit of Tokyo Skytree station on the Tōbu Line; five minutes from the A4 exit of Honjoazumabashi station on the Toei Asakusa Line; six minutes from the A3 exit of Oshiage station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line Website (Japanese only): (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © .)
The Mainichi
a day ago
- The Mainichi
Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai
SHANGHAI (Kyodo) -- The world's largest Legoland opened in Shanghai on Saturday, featuring eight areas themed on such characters as the Monkey King from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" as well as an expansive replica of the local cityscape made of Lego bricks. The amusement park spanning 318,000 square meters in the suburbs of Shanghai is the first Legoland resort in China and the 11th globally. Visitors can enjoy more than 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions in addition to thousands of models made with over 85 million Lego bricks. The Lego models include pandas and the Bund, Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade. The resort also features a hotel with 250 Lego-themed rooms. Shi Shuyi, 32, who traveled two hours from Changzhou in Jiangsu Province to reach Shanghai Legoland during a trial opening in late June, rode the same attraction three times with her 4-year-old son. "I want to go to a Legoland in Nagoya as well," Shi said. The other Legoland resorts are located in Britain, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. In China, two more Legoland resorts are under construction, one in Shenzhen in the southern Guangdong Province and the other near Chengdu, capital of the southwestern Sichuan Province.
Nikkei Asia
a day ago
- Nikkei Asia
Trump says US will start talks with China on TikTok deal Monday or Tuesday
In June, Trump extended to Sept. 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the U.S. assets of TikTok. © Reuters (Reuters) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he will start talking to China on Monday or Tuesday about a possible TikTok deal. He said the United States "pretty much" has a deal on the sale of the TikTok short-video app. "I think we're gonna start Monday or Tuesday ... talking to China, perhaps President Xi [Jinping] or one of his representatives, but we would pretty much have a deal," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. Last month, Trump extended to Sept. 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the U.S. assets of TikTok. A deal had been in the works this spring to spin off TikTok's U.S. operations into a new U.S.-based company, majority owned and operated by U.S. investors, but it was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it following Trump's announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said the U.S. will probably have to get a deal approved by China. When asked how confident he was that China would agree to a deal, he said: "I'm not confident, but I think so. President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it's good for them. I think the deal is good for China and it's good for us."
