Considering the relatively slow improvements in the field from 2000 until 2020, modern AI has already surpassed what many believed possible. The launch of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other generative AI has changed how many sectors conduct business and how personal users engage with platforms.
One sector that has been utilizing AI for many yearsโeven before the current AI boomโis video games. Employed to make more realistic NPCs (non-playable characters), help change storylines based on gameplay, and make game experiences more enjoyable, AI technology has been a staple of video games for decades.
With modern AI bringing about a worldwide change in many sectors, the question of whether it is changing video games is complex.
AI in Video Games
One of the first recorded uses of AI in video games occurred in 1978. Built into the now iconic game Space Invaders, developers used several stored patterns to act as AI. These simulated random movements within the game and ensured no two rounds were the same.
As AI advanced, it was used in games in increasingly innovative ways. These included levels that gradually increased in difficulty, events within a game world linked to a playerโs decisions, and even opponents for players to compete against.
Because video game artificial intelligence differs slightly in that its purpose is more to provide enjoyable gameplay than learn anything, many games function well with simple AI structures. But with modern AI opening immensely more advanced possibilities, its use in games has also evolved.
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Arguably, the most significant advantage of modern AI is its incredible impact on NPCs. These characters are programmed to exhibit more complex behaviors that make them more believable and offer a more realistic experience.
Beyond making NPCs act more naturally, AI has helped make playing alongside these characters more immersive. With the ability to react to a playerโs in-game actions, NPCs can be used in more ways than ever to help (or hinder) a player in their quest.
Alongside this, dialogue with NPCs has also seen massive improvements thanks to modern AI. Rather than a set number of pre-programmed responses, these characters can now have dynamic conversations with players due to most modern AI enginesโ NLP (natural language processing) ability.
Content Generation
One of the most sought-after features of a game is its responsiveness to a playerโs actions. However, this feature has always been somewhat limited, with specific actions having a programmed reaction and little else available behind what has been predetermined.
That is all changing, as games can now feature procedural AI content generation. Developers can utilize AI to generate entirely new levels, quests, or reactions based on how players interact within the game.
Using AI in this way can help reduce production costs, as the AI can generate unique levels. However, this benefit is overshadowed by the fact that using this ability allows a game to be different each time it is played, making games something to be enjoyed repeatedly.
Making Decisions and Difficulty
One of the main sticking points that players have had about AI in video games is how incredibly dumb it could be. In games featuring combat in particular, AI has been known to cause opposing characters to make decisions that lack rationale or to follow paths that donโt make sense.
Modern AI addresses this issue well. Rather than fumbling around, NPC opponents powered by newer engines can navigate maps more realistically and make sounder tactical decisions. This leads to more robust competition and more enjoyable battles.
In addition to making opponents harder to overcome, AI can gradually increase game difficulty to match player skills. By analyzing data about a player and their behavior in-game, the game can adapt accordingly to ensure that it is neither too easy nor too difficultโthus providing greater enjoyment and less frustration.
Safety and Security
Advances in AI are benefiting not only video games played on consoles, smartphones, or PCs but also online games and websites in the iGaming industry, which is taking advantage of the technology to keep players safe while they try their luck.
Here, AI is being used to detect suspicious activity, such as multiple player accounts, invalid game sessions, and even fraudulent transactions. This article tells you all you need to know about some providers used in these transactions and how they use AI to secure games and players.
Storylines
While not fully able to match a humanโs creativity, AI can help expand a storyline. Using algorithms to help write plot twists, more in-depth character backstories, or even more thrilling climactic cutscenes, AI can bring a video game story to life.
Game Development and Asset Generation
As mentioned, developers can use AI to aid game production. Depending on the language a gameโs code is written in and what a specific AI can code, artificial intelligence can be used to map out much of the code needed for a gameโs infrastructure.
Utilizing this can grant developers more time to tweak a gameโs features, perfect its graphical components, and ensure proper quality testing before a game is pushed to market.
In addition, AI is also actively being used to create assets for video games. Various visual aspects of a game can be made using AI rather than relying on game artists, from textures to animation mappings and models.
This can be particularly helpful when building dynamic worlds that feature a variety of rich colors and details. Using AI for general content creation also frees artists to spend more time on crucial visual aspects, such as character detailing.
Conclusion
Although AI has been used in video games for many years, recent technological advancements have revealed new uses. For developers, this leads to more streamlined game development that costs less and is quicker to complete.
The most significant benefit, however, is what it offers to gamers. With more intelligent and intuitive game modes, characters, and environments, games will likely become more tailored to personal play styles. This, alongside all the above improvements, will allow games to reach new heights and be harder to put down than ever.
