From: acquiredFM
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a significant part of gaming since its early days, initially driving non-player character (NPC) behavior and progressing to more sophisticated implementations. With recent advancements in AI, the potential impact on game development has become a topic of keen interest within the gaming industry.
AI in Early Game Development
Historically, AI in video games focused on enhancing gameplay by enabling NPCs to simulate intelligence. Game developers like Dani Bunten Berry made NPCs in games like “M.U.L.E.” appear more human by design, such as including random errors to mimic human-like behavior, which added depth to the player’s experience.
Modern AI Applications
As discussed by Mitch Lasky and Blake Robbins on the Acquired podcast special episode with Acquired, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize various facets of game development at present, with four key areas being particularly promising:
1. Art Pipeline
One of the most immediate impacts of AI is in streamlining the art creation process. The video game industry spends exorbitantly on creating art assets, and AI technologies can significantly reduce these costs by automating the creation of repetitive elements like environmental objects or textures. As Mitch Lasky points out, the potential of AI to create variations of in-game assets quickly could alleviate the workload considerably [. [2:01:01]]
2. Quality Assurance and Balancing
AI is making headway into quality assurance and gameplay balancing by simulating gameplay to identify bugs and optimize the mechanics of the game. AI-driven bots can test different aspects of gameplay faster and more efficiently than human testers, identifying issues related to gameplay balance that could be unfound otherwise. This also opens up the potential for creating dynamic in-game economies, adjusted in real-time based on player interactions and AI predictions [. [2:03:00]]
3. Live Operations (LiveOps)
LiveOps refer to managing a game after its release to keep the content fresh and engage players long-term. AI can dynamically adjust game events or in-game challenges to push new content more efficiently. Lasky and Robbins discuss how AI can create tailored experiences for players, ensuring that content is challenging yet attainable based on the player’s past performance [. [2:05:46]]
4. Dungeon Mastering for RPGs
In role-playing games (RPGs), AI can act as a live Dungeon Master (DM), enhancing storytelling by generating narrative elements and interacting with players in real-time. This can be particularly valuable in multiplayer settings or in user-generated content (UGC) environments, providing unique experiences tailored to individual or group playstyles [. [2:06:11]]
Challenges and Future Prospect
Despite these advancements, there are challenges. The democratization of game development through AI raises concerns regarding the quality and originality of content. Moreover, while AI can greatly facilitate content creation, the creativity and narrative coherence that human developers bring to gaming remain irreplicable.
Overall, AI holds the potential to significantly alter and enhance the landscape of game development, reducing production costs and enhancing player experiences. As these technologies continue to evolve, they are set to play a pivotal role in how games are created and maintained. AI and machine learning advancements will be instrumental in shaping these developments, allowing the technology companies and strategies to adapt accordingly.