The integration of artificial intelligence into traditional game designs has transformed the way video games are created, played, and experienced, creating a huge paradigm shift in the sector. While this technology is still in its infancy, many video game developers and publishers have started recognizing its attractive benefits like cost reduction and enhanced player experience.
This article focuses on the evolution and the impact of artificial intelligence in the gaming world, common applications, and the benefits it offers video game businesses.
Understanding the evolution of AI in games
Since the first computer algorithm played chess in 1950, artificial intelligence has always been associated with video games. During these early days, non-playable characters (NPCs) were extremely simple creations. Their actions and movements were strictly controlled by programmed scripts. As such, players were faced with highly predictable behavior and ultimately monotonous gameplay.
In the 1980s, “Pac-Man” introduced the classic ghost enemies, while Super Mario Bros featured Koopas and Goombas. These early non-playable characters lacked the depth of current options, but they laid the foundation for AI research in video games.
The efforts to generate computer algorithms that challenge human experts in strategy games like chess, poker, and blackjack also significantly advanced AI research in gaming over the years. For instance, you can expect to see the best blackjack apps for real money on The Sports Geek incorporating AI to enhance their user experience and security. In fact, most games available online incorporate some form of artificial intelligence.
With technological advancement, it became possible to introduce complex, adaptive artificial intelligence to overcome the earlier challenges. While NPC actions were once sequential and programmed, AI technology made it possible for a single NPC to completely change the game’s narrative depending on the player’s actions. That has made non-playable characters more intelligent and somehow unpredictable.
The benefits and impact of AI in traditional games
Video game creators strive to deliver immersive experiences to their players. These interactive experiences come from the cumulative effects of several game design elements, including sounds, graphics, narratives, gameplay timing, challenges, and content. That has made AI an invaluable tool for game designers to master the growing complexity of video game dynamics.
The growing popularity of artificial intelligence also offers significant benefits to video game businesses. Thanks to this technology and other driving forces, the gaming industry is projected to reach $314 billion by 2026. As such, funding for the development of artificial intelligence games is steadily rising worldwide.
Typical application of artificial intelligence in video games
AI’s application in games is diverse and it presents several impressive benefits. These applications include:
Image enhancement
AI engineers are making efforts to leverage deep learning algorithms to create photorealistic images from 3D-rendered graphics. Such systems have proven effective in games like Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5), where the neural network has perfectly recreated south California and LA landscapes in great detail. Additionally, the most advanced AI algorithms for enhancing images can transform synthetic images into life-like depictions.
The main application of AI image enhancement in games is improving the graphics of traditional games. That involves taking low-resolution images and turning them to a similar version, but with more pixels. The process is known as “AI upscaling”.
Game-level generation
Also called procedural content generation, game-level generation involves using advanced AI systems to create large open-world gaming environments, new levels, and other in-game assets. That’s among the most promising applications of AI in game design since developing open worlds with vast landscapes can be time-consuming and complex.
With AI algorithms, game developers can easily create and optimize new scenes related to the game’s status. For instance, No Man’s Sky leverages artificial intelligence to create an infinite number of game levels while playing the game.
Creating intelligent NPCs
While most traditional games still feature pre-programmed non-playable characters, AI is adding intelligence to these characters. That makes these characters more enjoyable and less predictable when playing against them. Additionally, artificial intelligence helps NPC to become smarter and respond to different game conditions in unique ways.
Balancing in-game complexity
Game developers are constantly striving to create more realistic and immersive games. Unfortunately, modeling the real world can be quite challenging and time-consuming. However, AI algorithms can predict the future effects of a player’s actions and model things like emotions and weather to balance the game’s complexity.
A real-world application of that is the FIFA Ultimate Team mode. The game automatically calculates the team’s chemistry according to the characters’ personality traits. In that way, the teams with better character can also lose against weak-looking teams because of their morale. That adds a layer of complexity to the game.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence offers several business benefits for video game development companies. Gaming companies using the technology today can save their time and money, streamline the game development process, and offer a better user experience. However, there are several limitations to incorporating AI in traditional games.