Over the past decade, AI technologies have steadily brought revolution in the gaming industry. With the emergence of new technologies and high-end game development software, the gaming industry strives to offer the best to the gamers.
One of the most recent and exciting developments that have taken the market by storm is the use of Generative AI - a type of artificial intelligence that has the potential to bring game development to another level with minimal input from the developers.
Now as exciting as it sounds about the tech advancements and how it can be high-yielding, there is an equal layer of fear that AI might replace designers and storytellers soon. AI might begin to code, design and write better than humans.
This brings us to a ground-breaking question - will Generative AI revolutionize game development, or will it replace human professionals in the creative industry like gaming? Roblox working on 2 new generative AI tools
If you are looking for a head start to understand what Generative AI could hold in the gaming industry, then you are at the right place. In this blog, we will explore the possibilities regarding Generative AI in the gaming industry and what the future holds for the future.
What is Generative AI?
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) as the name indicates, is a set of pre-trained machine learning systems that are capable of processing data from the internet to produce new insights through varied patterns, and different algorithms, along with the user prompts. It can generate new data from scratch and offer different outputs like texts, audio, images, and videos. Such an intelligence can function without any direct intervention of humans. ChatGPT for example is already creating a big wave with many big players pitching in - The big kings who invested huge in this technology, and launched their first ChatGPT version include; Microsoft’s Bing Bot, and Google’s Bard.
Midjourney, Dall-e, Stable Diffusion are other examples of generative AI. There are several bloopers as well in the scene.
Here, a neural network is trained (training set being the internet) to function in a way based on a few parameters. The algorithm works by simplifying and analyzing heaps of existing data and then finds a way to make something new from the data. Generative AI can be used in creating realistic environments, characters within the games, music composition, or even writing novels.
How Does Generative AI Work in Game Development?
Generative AI offers incredible potential to transform the gaming industry. Technology is already making a massive impact as it enables gaming developers to create games and content more quickly and precisely.
Using certain algorithms or logics, it is possible to generate content in gaming. One such technique that the gaming industry developers are using is the procedural generation. The technique can be applied to a diverse range of fields. Be it 3D modeling, animation or computer graphics. It transend in creating textures and natural effects for different quests and levels in the games. Some of the famous games created using the procedural generation are Minecraft, Terria, and No Man’s Sky.
With the help of Generative AI, the developers can design game levels, characters, and other elements hassle-free and swiftly without having to do anything manually. It consumes large chunks of data from various sources and then builds new dimensional stories.
The generated content could range from new story arcs to different characters and other all sorts of elements. This helps the developers in bringing in more varied versions of the games to the players and keep them engaged.
While working with Generative AI, game developers usually use neural networks, which are primarily a set of algorithms that picks patterns and current desired output based on them. Neural networks can also modify the existing data or situation and turn it into a more elaborate and realistic version for the gamer.
Another way Generative AI can be used in game development is to input all the information like size, landscape, and architecture and let the AI set up your virtual world automatically. Additionally, one can use the same technology to create enemies and non-player characters (NPC) for an emotional and captivating gaming experience.
Even the content required to develop a game, coding etc can be managed with Generative AI. The technology can curate vast amounts of content starting from images and videos to its ability of creating text documents.
For businesses and individuals, Generative AI offers efficiency and possibility to generate large volumes of content. It can create large volumes of content which saves time and money for the businesses.
Another area where Generative AI lays a significant impact is in the development of new AI algorithms. By using Generative AI, researchers can tap into the innovative ideas for the development of IA technologies and build applications.
Overall, Generative AI fastens the development velocity of the businesses. It accelerates the development of new AI technologies thereby making it a crucial part of the future of artificial intelligence.
What Type of Games Can Generative AI Create?
When it comes to gaming, Generative AI can generate numerous gaming experiences. A critical aspect to consider is that creating a game will entirely depend upon the capabilities of the AI as well as the development environment.
For instance, Generative AI can design agame, where all the players can discover and interact in the virtual gaming world. The developers can design elements like buildings, spaceships, terrain, and many other imaginary things.
Another type of game that Generative AI can design is based on real-time strategy. Over here, the AI will react and make moves per the player’s move. This will bring a fun and challenging element to the game. Generative AI can also be used in creating puzzle games that are merely based on logical and problem-solving skills.
Overall Generative AI can be used to create a wide array of games. It all boils down to the capabilities of AI and the imagination of game developers. Generative AI offers a platform and ample possibilities to create engaging experiences for the user.
How to Use Generative AI in Game Design?
Through Generative AI, one can create a unique and dynamic experience for the players. The AI can help curate different levels, storylines, characters, and game approaches.
Level Generation - Generative AI can define unique game levels with different sets of enemies and obstacles. This eventually articulates a thrilling experience for the players who have played the game before.
Difficulty Level - Generative AI can assist you in setting the difficulty tone for the game as per the player’s skill set. This eventually stirs a challenging environment for the players, irrespective of their skill level, and motivates them to continue playing.
Story Plots - One of the most intriguing parts that attract every player is the story plots and characters. Generative AI delivers unpredictable stories that will keep the player hooked to the screen. It will excite the players to explore the game and try new challenges that will unravel the new character or plot twist.
Six Ways Generative AI Will Transform the Gaming Industry:
For years, the gaming industry has been setting a benchmark for other sectors regarding innovation and creativity. With Generative AI as the next big thing, the industry is all set to experience transformation. As per the report by Mordor Intelligence, The worldwide video game business will reach $314.40 billion in 2026.
Here are the six top ways Generative AI will revolutionize the gaming industry.
Improved Personalization
Generative AI offers personalization like never before. Through AI tools, the developers can design the games according to the player’s requirements and gaming style preference. This, altogether, creates an immersive and enjoyable experience. As Generative AI curates a personalized experience, it can also boost more players to participate and gather more engagement in the games designed for them.
Lifelike Graphics
The more appealing the graphics, the more keen interest the user develops. Generative AI hits the nail right on the head through lifelike graphics. The AI uses algorithms to generate realistic visuals from limited data. This can create a lifelike environment, apply physical textures, and animate using 3D effects.
By blending machine learning and artificial intelligence software, developers can create stunning visuals that will bring games to life. For instance, Generative AI can develop facial animations and stir up expressions in the gaming characters more compelling than ever before.
Improved Game Design
At the end of the day, a gamer plays the game to enjoy and have an entertaining experience, only to return for more. By using artificial intelligence software, the developers can design games far from being complex and step up the innovation game. Generative AI allows the developers to generate unique levels, characters, and other necessary elements in the game that will elevate the gaming experience. The tools can optimize the game’s mechanics and balance the different levels for an engaging experience. Generative AI also reduces the development time and creates elements and prototypes in a limited time.
Enhanced Gaming Experience
Generative AI uses an algorithm that will create numerous scenarios allowing the players to explore different levels of the game - starting from easy ones to far more complex ones than usual. The algorithm will decipher patterns and data to create unique characters and story plots that are tailored as per the individual’s requirement. To make it even more exciting, Generative AI can predict user actions. This helps Generative AI provide surprises throughout the game, making it more thrilling and challenging.
Increased Accessibility
AI-generated content provides accessibility to the players. It can create infinite levels and challenges that will provide opportunities to explore new gaming experiences. Based on an individual’s skill set Generative AI can customize and offer a unique gaming curve.
AI reduces the need for manual labor and production costs to a certain extent. This can make it affordable and accessible to a much wider audience.
“AI can ease down the process of content creation process which is actually labour intensive part of the video game development.” says - Rok Breulj, founder and owner of Proxy Studios
Smart NCPs
Gamers want exclusive interactivity while playing the game. Here’s where the smart non-player character (NCP) powered by high-end AI comes in that provides an immersed experience.
A smart NCP is a video game character that is controlled by the game’s artificial intelligence.
The advanced version of NCP is designed to interact with the complex interactions and situations of the game surroundings. As per the Inworld report, 99% of the gamers believe that the advanced version of the smart NCPs positively impacts gaming performance and experience.
Overall, advanced NCP will excel in improving the game play by making the games more scenic, realistic and enjoyable.
Role of Generative AI in Esports
The introduction of Generative AI in eSports is remarkable. Many eSports platforms are seeing the rise in numbers. It’s no longer merely a sports industry. It’s a widely recognized and standalone industry thriving because of the current Generative AI trend. As per the report by Insider Intelligence, in 2022, 29.6 million people watch eSports every month increasing, 11.5% from 2021.
In the light of ESport’s future, Generative AI will improve the gameplay for the players. Through different analysis and predictions, it will help the gamers to understand the strategies and play accordingly. Alongside, with AI it becomes possible to train the characters through tools and robust design thereby boosting the chances of winning the game.
Risks and Challenges Associated With Generative AI in the Gaming Sector
While Generative AI is considered a blessing in the gaming industry, there is a fair share of drawbacks associated with it. Below mentioned are the risks and challenges that tag along with Generative AI in the gaming industry.
Degrading Storytelling
Due to the sudden intervention of AI in the gaming industry, the characters written by the humans will take the backseat. There are high stakes of AI generating the same plot twists and might stop resonating with the players.
A downside of using Generative AI for game development is that it builds scenarios on the basis of the data that’s fed into the system through humans.
Costs & Time
It is costly to implement Generative AI for game development. Alongside, for the upgraded and best version of the game, it also requires robust hardware and software that will support the software.
For small and mid-size businesses, it can come off as a struggle as they will need to hire skilled professionals who know how to operate the software and use Generative AI for the game creation.
Generative AI can be a time-consuming task. It can take weeks or months to get it up and to run. Businesses will also require to deploy or even train employees for best practices.
Overall, it can be a major hindrance and slow down businesses.
Unemployment
For every development cycle stage, there are individuals who would take over particular tasks and functions. But with the amalgamation of Generative AI, enterprises will require to pace up their efficiency levels for optimum results.
The tasks that require multiple individuals to complete now might need only a few of them, which eventually leads to unemployment. Businesses will have to train or hire employees with expertise and knowledge about Generative AI.
Gaming Performance
Using a generative AI for game development can cause problems in balancing the performance. For instance, too much integration of AI in the development cycle can make the game too difficult or too easy. This can eventually lead players to be unsatisfied with the gaming experience. Therefore, game developers must strike the right balance between the AI performance and enjoyment of the game.
Can Deliver Unbelievable or Not so Immersive Experience
Generative AI is a powerful technology that may not always produce high-end quality outputs. The integration of Generative AI in the video games may not always produce the best results. It can be purely based on the assumptions or contains errors that might just spoil the overall gaming experience.
There could be a myriad of factors like lack of data, poor training or complexed algorithms that could lead to not so immersive experiences. Generative AI systems are typically trained on the data sets which could represent identical inputs. However any intervention of bugs can easily disrupt the gaming experience. It becomes tricky to control the characteristics of generated outputs.
Data Privacy
When it comes to gaming, security plays a significant role. Generative AI certainly poses questions regarding data privacy and security risks. AI tools can potentially create havoc by collecting personal information. It increases the risks of malicious attack.
For the best security measures, the developers must integrate intense security levels and ensure that any data collected from the players is not used outside the gaming purpose. Many times, the AI’s code catches vulnerabilities leading to malicious attacks. Developers must quickly identify suspicious activities and take necessary actions in auditing the code.
Latest AI Generative Trends of 2023 In the Gaming Industry
From monochrome screens to 3D visuals, we have seen a drastic change in the gaming business. For decades, video games have been a source of entertainment for all age groups. For some, it turned into a full-fledged profession. As new rampant technologies emerge in the industry, the global gaming market is set to grow to $256 billion by 2025. Here are the top trends that will revamp the gaming industry in 2023.
Development Cycle
AI has substantially improved the overall game-creation process. The developers can utilize Generative AI in the development cycle, fasten the process and bring the best results on the screen.
Game developers must step up their game development methods to stay ahead of the competition. They should start utilizing the best tech resources available to them. For instance, enabling features like 3D graphics, facial recognition, motion sensors, active NCPs and so on. By blending all these features to the game development cycle it brings a surreal experience to the gamers.
Game Engine
A noticeable Generative AI trend in the development cycle is the usage of game engine. It is a software development environment that helps developers design video games with the latest tools and libraries. Because all the features are available in one place, it becomes feasible for the developers to fasten the creation and execution process. It’s beneficial for developers to design high-quality games faster, more efficiently, and provide a brilliant experience.
Outcome - The automation will speed up the game development process, improve productivity, and reduce costs significantly making it possible for the indie developers to be a part of the gaming industry.
Operations
As much as developing a successful game is important to thrive in the industry, so is monetizing the game an equal parameter. Today gaming companies are optimizing their strategies that will aid in generating revenue for the long term.
For instance, many gaming businesses provide in-app purchases, NFTs and organize special events to drive revenue. They are also exploring different tactics to keep the users hooked to the game. Adding new trending features will excite the users to buy the latest tools and features in the game.
Metaverse
We have certainly heard enough hype about the term ‘Metaverse’ for all the right reasons. Its introduction to the gaming industry is escalating the experience to a different level. The concept of Metaverse is not an operational one but rather an online 3D-connected space aiming to bring people from across the world together on one digital platform to communicate and socialize.
The players can share and trade their gaming assets, get a sense of physical touch, and so on. The in-gaming items and assets in Metaverse hold real value. Gamers can sell or purchase their virtual assets through NFTs. They can even own NFT collectibles.
Outcome : As game developers will integrate new technologies like IoT and blockchain they will be able to track the user behavior, data usage which will eventually provide a smooth and reliable experience for the players.
Accessibility
Different players have different playing styles. Therefore, it becomes utmost crucial for the businesses to provide the best level of accessibility in terms of software and hardware to the users. As AI-based games are entering the market, multiple platforms and devices are designed to support such games. For example, gaming consoles, mobile phones, and digital storefronts like Stream.
Allowing gamers to tweak their gaming experience as per their play style will be beneficial in the long run. Furthermore, gaming companies are looking for cloud streaming options so that players can access the game anytime and anywhere.
Mobile Gaming
In the first half of 2022, arcade mobile games were growing by revenue and rising by 14.8% compared to the period in 2021.
The AI algorithms help the developers in designing games that are equipped for the touch-based devices. It also provides features like automated designs and balanced levels.
To create a tailored experience for the user, AI collects the information for the best play, engagement and personalization. Additionally, the use of voice recognition allows the players to communicate within the game. With the amalgamation of all these technologies, mobile gaming will flourish and grow like never before.
Outcome : The gaming experience will get tailored and more personalized. Gaming companies will aim at catering various levels of accessibility as per player tastes.
Content Creation
The gaming industry is on the cusp of evolving with exceptional content generation tools. Having Generative AI as a staple to narrate the content for the games is a next-level invention. Games like Roblox and Minecraft work exceptionally well in providing a brilliant gaming experience to the users.
The AI-based tools help the game developers build landscapes, quests, different levels, and voice augmentation in different languages that will elevate the gaming experience altogether. Generative AI pushes the developers to think outside the box and expand the gameplay for the users.
AI voice-augmenting
AI voice-augmenting is a trend that will skyrocket the content creation in the games. It will bring a realistic movement in the gaming industry, revamping the dynamics like never before. The generated neural voices can create laughter and emotions or mimic any vocal sound and expression to bring the characters to life.
Outcome: As the players progress in the game levels, so will the immersive experience improve. It will make the game more progressive, exciting and engaging enough for users to continue playing.
Experience
User experience is an essential metric that will either rank your game number one in the app store or lead the users to uninstall it from their devices. Businesses are always on the lookout to keep their users engaged in the game.
Through Generative AI, the game gets more realistic and enhancing. Many gaming companies are offering comprehensive experiences by indulging in streaming and social media. They are also providing reward points for customer loyalty. This shift is essential to survive in the highly competitive industry and keep the players happy.
AR and VR
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR & VR) have become extremely popular in the gaming industry. It takes the players on a virtual tour of a whole new world, thereby creating an immersive experience. According to a latest report, the market for AR & VR is expected to reach $11.0 billion by 2026. As technology continues to shape and evolve, game designers have started to explore the different game mechanics associated with AR and VR software.
Outcome: Generative AI acts as a stimulator for creating virtual reality experience. Players can explore virtual reality environment with developing details and have an unparalleled gaming experience.
Will Generative AI Revolutionize Game Development?
The gaming industry is consistently pushing boundaries and striving towards tech opportunities. But as the industry continues to grow, the tasks and processes are becoming more complex and time-consuming. Generative AI brings exciting potential on the ground. The idea is to mitigate the charges and reduce the labor-intensive work.
However there are multiple challenges associated with Generative AI in the gaming industry. One of the biggest concerns is that any disruption in the level can throw the entire game under the bus. Probably, the newer versions planned for the future can mitigate the challenges and can take the gaming industry to an unprecedented level, where the games will be more empowering, diverse, creative, responsive, adaptive, immersive, entertaining, and imperative. Gaming wizards should take this transformation (with generative AI) with a leap of faith, and prepare for the future.
Final Thoughts
“Our intelligence is what makes us human, and AI is an extension of that quality. Artificial intelligence is extending what we can do with our abilities. In this way, it’s letting us become more human.” –Yann LeCun
Generative AI has entered the league of the gaming industry. It is definitely revolutionizing the gaming industry for its best in providing invaluable experience to the gamers. The market is seeing several partnership agreements for gaming innovations where they intend to explore AI technology integration for games.
Startups like Respeecher and Altered are providing augmented voice technology to the gaming businesses. As gamers are gearing up with their ultra-advanced gaming consoles, Generative AI is all set to play a major role in revolutionizing the gaming industry and provide brilliant experiences.
Yes, AI is exceptional. It is going to take a major role in the coming days irrespective of the current crazy hype. Let us not trash it, call it strange, and bemoan. We need to embrace it and go with the flow. It’s important to remember that the technology is still in its early stage. So, use Generative AI to perform iterative tasks and speed up the development process in all the fields. Game on!
