Will Wright, legendary creator of SimCity and The Sims, is actively developing a new game called Proxi, which explores the integration of AI and personal memory in game design. At the May 2024 GamesBeat Summit, Wright discussed how artificial intelligence will transform gaming—not just in NPC interactions but also in dynamically generating dialogue and worlds. Proxi, created in collaboration with AI platform company Numenta through Gallium Studios (co-founded by Wright and Lauren Elliott), aims to build simulated worlds based on players’ real memories, potentially mapping aspects of players’ psyches and allowing shared memory worlds between players[2].
Proxi is designed as a live simulation game where players shape a digital proxy of themselves with their personal memories. For example, feeding in a childhood memory of fearing the dark would affect the in-game proxy’s behaviors. The system allows proxies to evolve over time and even be exported to other games and platforms, thanks to partnerships with companies like Altera. Proxi is set to release for PC first, with cross-platform and mobile versions under consideration[6].
Wright and his team at Gallium Studios continue to prioritize player creativity and ownership in their projects, reflecting the values that made The Sims and SimCity successful cultural phenomenons. The Sims franchise, originally designed by Wright, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, having sold over 200 million copies and maintaining massive player engagement. A Sims movie is also in production, underscoring the franchise’s enduring popularity and relevance[3].
In recent years, Wright has emerged as a prominent voice on the future of AI in games, emphasizing that contemporary AI only makes minimal use of neuroscience advances and predicting that biologically inspired AI could redefine game experiences[2]. His work on Proxi and Gallium Studios represents the forefront of this movement.