‘Video games are in for quite a trip’: How generative AI could radically reshape gaming
‘Video games are in for quite a trip’: How generative AI could radically reshape gaming
‘Video games are in for quite a trip’: How generative AI could radically reshape gaming
By Rebecca Cairns
October 23, 2023
Summary
Now, the rapid development of generative AI is opening up a new frontier for video games: endless open worlds, unique content, autonomous characters, and the potential for faster game development.
Act natural Generative AI - artificial intelligence that creates text, images and audio in response to a prompt - is set to shake up one of the signature components of video games: non-playable characters, known as NPCs. These characters typically have a set pattern of behavior, and their mannerisms and speech are often stilted and unnatural.
Chinese gaming company NetEase uses ChatGPT to generate NPC dialogue in its recently released "Justice" mobile game, while Replica Studios recently introduced "AI-powered smart NPCs" for game engine giant Unreal Engine, which allows game developers to use AI to read NPC dialogue, rather than hiring a human voice actor.
One risk of using AI-generated NPCs is that game designers could lose control of the game narrative, says Julian Togelius, an associate professor at New York University, where he conducts research on AI and games.
"We haven't seen that much advancement in the artificial intelligence that powers the other characters in the games, or that tries to model the player, or tries to generate the world - so we're going to see a lot of advancement along these directions." Open worlds Open-world games, like "Grand Theft Auto," "Skyrim," and "Elden Ring," approach gameplay with non-linear quests and stories.
"Games have functional constraints such that levels need to be completable and NPCs should not lie about the game world," Togelius adds.
Players are already adapting gameplay to their own preferences and needs with user-generated content, which is a key component of many games, including "Fortnite," "Minecraft" and "The Sims." Generative AI could make the production of UGC easier and more accessible for players, as well as raise the quality of content.
Reference
Cairns, R. (2023, October 24). “video games are in for quite a trip”: How generative AI could radically reshape gaming. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/world/generative-ai-video-games-spc-intl-hnk/index.html