The development of AI and technology can be seen across the board, be this in our smartphones, cars, or household appliances, steps are being taken to ensure human interaction in devices is just as genuine as actual human interaction. One of the leading industries trying to develop AI is gaming.
In 2001 Halo introduced the first AI digital helper Cortana. Since then, gameplay is becoming more and more reliant on AI. The range of games that we have access to, the devices on which they can be played and the developments been made on the pivotal technology that make them means both gaming and AI are prime sources of investment.
More developments are being made on AI by the day and it’s further incorporation into gaming is on the Horizon as seen by the release of a new version of the GPT-3 video game tool. This technology does still have some flaws but it’s potential is more than evident.
So, with the above in mind, how much big of a role is AI going to play in the future of gaming? And what advancements are needed before we get there?
Human Connection
This is arguably one of the most needed adaptions before AI can be used in games. Ever since chatbots and digital assistants were created, though impressive, one critique has been widely recognised and that is that the helper is lacking human connection. As a result, organisations are now developing AI that is as human-like as possible.
One of the largest benefits upon development of truly human-like AI will be the ability of an algorithm to read and generate emotion from text. This will make for a much more immersive gameplay experience. The number of games that end up getting made into movies is a testament to the quality of the storytelling that goes into them, and this will only be enhanced once AI develops further and gamers experience an emotional connection with a story or character unlike any game they’ve ever played before.
CEO of enterprise software company Formation, Christian Selchau-Hansen, envisions the future of gameplay using AI akin to a physics engine, something that controls gravity, wind-resistance and thermal conductivity but for emotional interactions.
Why AI Is Important in Gaming
There is a sweet spot gamers look for that AI can help them find which is somewhere between competition and demolition. Yes, whilst gamers want to win, they also want to be challenged, and the best way to achieve both of these things is having access to competitors that make human-like decisions.
AI will also help with brand loyalty as it will be a huge leap forward when it comes to getting gamers invested in their games. Stories will change and the reason behind the actions that a player is taking will be less driven by simple text on a screen like it is now, but more as the result of genuine emotion.
There is also the ability to personalise a gamers experience entrenched in the development of AI. Notes can be taken of the decision’s gamers make, what quests they follow, what items they collect and then suggestions for alternative downloads can be made off the back of that. It means that not only will the development of AI lead to a greater level of enjoyment from consumers, but it is a huge advancement for businesses too as the data collected can also go towards creating future games.
The Limitations of AI in Gaming
Whilst we are seeing constant developments in the implementation of AI in gaming, we are also beginning to see the limitations of non-humanoid interaction.
We still see issues surrounding the fact that AI is missing genuine human connection as language comes off a lot of the time as non-sensical. This could be due to a few things, take Nick Walton’s AI Dungeon storytelling game. This throws the user into a decision tree and their choices from there on out change the outcome of the game and help train the game for future players. Whilst interesting, it also reflects the issues with language generation as the program is unable to tell what a player knows, what they’ve seen before and if they are familiar with characters or items. As a result, the gameplay comes across as chaotic and the lack of human emotion all the more apparent.
Does AI Have A Future in Gaming?
Absolutely. From Halo in 2001 to now, the advancements of AI in gaming are clear and with numerous organisations and IT Developers attempting to enhance this technology even further, it is extremely likely that AI will soon be a major component of every game we play. This will create more immersive storytelling and assist businesses with developing future games by understanding players actions and intentions better when they play.
That being said, there are some improvements still needed. One of the most prominent disadvantages to AI in gaming is the lack of human connection. Whilst this could be excused in other industries, when what the consumer is doing relies so heavily on interaction and storytelling, their experience needs to be as realistic as possible, and AI at the minute doesn’t quite cut it.
As further progress is made, we can look forward to a more exciting future of gaming, one with engaging stories that change depending on the person playing them. Until then though, gamers will have to make do with the likes of AI Dungeon and Halo. Which isn’t a bad compromise.
Author bio:
James Sanders is the Managing Director of London Diamonds, a company founded with the intention of disrupting the jewellery industry. Working with designers, buyers and diamond experts from around the world, he has always been adamant on putting the client first and continues with that approach in every decision he makes.
Innovative, he is always looking for exciting projects surrounding Gaming, AI, Bitcoin and Gold to invest in. He believes these are interesting times rich with opportunities for those who are willing to take them.
As such a prominent name in both business and investment, he is adamant on keeping on top of current affairs.