How will AI enhance gaming experience?

Hey, guys! Evrik is back after spending a long night playing video games. I’ve been recently analyzing how AI changes our life and realized that it can alter our gaming experience, as well! It’s not about graphics and visuals only — games will become more life-like, which means deeper engagement and much more fun. So sit down, make yourself a cup of tea and read my article on how AI will enhance Web3, Play-to-Earn, and traditional video games.

1. Rule-based AI operates according to pre-defined rules and conditions to navigate NPCs’ (Non-playable character) behavior.
2. Finite State Machines also generate model NPC behaviors with pre-defined patterns.
3. Pathfinding AI determines the optimal path for NPCs to travel through the game space.
4. Machine Learning AI adapts behavior and decision-making based on past experiences, training and input data.
5. Behavior trees make up for better flexibility and allow for complex AI behaviors that can adapt to changing conditions.
6. Reinforcement learning receives feedback in the form of penalties and rewards based on the player’s actions & adjusts their behavior to maximize rewards.

Thanks to simplicity of use, ChatGPT is being widely used by game developers to write and correct code. Yet, there are still some limitations and challenges faced by studios:

• Finding the correct data to train algorithms efficiently is one of the main challenges encountered by engineers. So far, there are not so many algorithms made especially for gaming, but it’s a matter of time.
• Creating AI systems that can learn from data with little assistance from humans involves a great deal of complexity, which is why studios need AI trainers at the initial stage of development.
• Advanced knowledge of several statistical methods and computer languages is needed to develop machine learning models that can effectively forecast and analyze data in real time.

Despite these obstacles, AI is being gradually implemented in video games. Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto 5, Minecraft, and The Last of Us are good cases in point because they demonstrate how AI evolved through the years. But the fun has just begun! Here’s what awaits us.

The AI of the game makes use of algorithms to move characters across the game world from point A to point B. The technology helps NPCs to determine the quickest path to the destination while avoiding hazards and traps. This feature is generally used by enemy characters or bosses since they determine how to engage with or attack a player based on their position.

Non-player characters, or NPCs, are the additional characters we encounter in video games who behave as though they are under the control of other people. The majority of AI in the game industry is used in this area: algorithms and a set of rules specified by the creators establish each character’s own set of behaviours and actions.

A game becomes more engaging and provides additional opportunities for player and non-player interaction when NPCs are AI-driven. A human-like NPC succeeds in giving players a more immersive experience, which is ultimately what games aspire to do.

Here are the ways how AI can improve NPCs:

• Though-through behavior. NPCs can analyze the game environment, interact with players, and make complicated decisions based on goals, emotions, and context.
• Adaptability. NPCs that can adapt can change over time in terms of behaviour, approaches, and reactions.
• Personalized experiences. Players will become engaged in the game by receiving personalized tasks, dialogue options, and incentives at the appropriate time.
• Dynamic social interactions. Based on the player’s decisions and actions, NPCs can show emotions, develop connections, and react.
• Dynamic interaction with the game space. NPCs can participate in dynamically simulated activities like trade, exploring, etc. in a dynamic world simulation.

NPCs collaboration. Non-playable characters can act as allies or enemies in the multiplayer mode.

Cheating is a common problem in online multiplayer games. It may irritate clean-handed players and have negative consequences for game developers. Many players feel vulnerable to opponents who have unfair advantages, which is why incorporating better cheating detection methods is a must for creators to ensure joyful gameplay.

Here, AI is a weapon used by both sides. While sleeky players use AI to cheat in a realistic manner comparable to humans to avoid being caught (oh, I hate when Dealan does that!), some video game companies deploy AI to analyze the patterns of player behavior. They detect bots, elo boosters, cheaters, scripters, smurfs, the use of aimbots.

Each video game features countless variations of 3D characters, outfits, abilities, music, and other elements. Production of these assets takes boatloads of time and money, but now they can be quickly and cheaply generated using AI on a big scale. And the best part of it — AI learns and adopts a large variety of artistic styles.

AI may also produce interactive narratives using text generation tools. In fact, it has already learnt plotlines: the text-based fantasy simulation AI Dungeon 2 is one of the most well-known examples of this type of application. Players may enter any action and advance through the game by making their inputs and guiding AI to produce limitless material for their character to engage with. The story game offers totally AI-driven adventures and infinite options.

To reveal bugs, issues, shortcuts, and ultimately all the conceivable actions a player may do, video game creators need to test their games at each level. Fortunately, playtesting can be automated with AI.

AI recognizes dynamically generated components and notices all the minor things that might be deleted from the game framework since it can handle thousands of complicated test cases much faster than humans could. AI-powered technologies enable testers to carry out their tasks more effectively, speeding up and streamlining the process.

‘What the heck is this?’ — you may ask. One of the most well-known examples of a game that uses procedural generation to provide its fans with an infinite variety of settings is Minecraft, which was hyped around in 2019. Every time a new planet is produced, it uses math and AI algorithms to generate fresh material.

To create completely new locations as the player advances, the game industry now employs procedural generation, making for a far more distinctive and immersive experience. It doesn’t take a scientist to see that making such huge open-world maps manually would prolong the game development process by months, if not years.

AI has several undeniable advantages for procedural generation:

• Dynamic content creation. AI may provide a variety of game levels, quests, challenges, etc., giving players a mind-boggling experience. It increases replayability and prolongs game life.
• Efficiency and scalability. AI quickly generates more complex and life-life surroundings.
• Dynamic and adaptive environments. Based on player interactions and behaviour, the game world can change, regenerate, and adapt.
• Endless exploration and discovery. Every level can reveal new places, secret bonuses, special encounters, and so on, allowing players to fully explore the game universe.

While Meta L is worried about AI taking artists’ jobs, I am sure that robots will only automate routine tasks, and the synergy of our talents and their electronic brains allows creating super realistic worlds! The gaming industry’s most obvious evolution throughout the years was in the in-game animations and visuals.

AI algorithms have made it possible for designers to enhance textures with fine details and give characters a more lifelike appearance. Besides, AI can make NPCs learn new human-like reactions: facial expressions can be created instantly, saving the expense of recording, editing, and storing a large number of movements beforehand.

On top of that, with sufficient computational power and the aid of AI, it is possible to render shadows and lighting in real-time as users move about the virtual environment, which is another essential component of immersive gaming.

Wrapping up

We see that video games are becoming more immersive and engaging with every new version released, but this progress takes years. With AI powering every step of game generation — starting from plot writing and ending by the gameplay itself — their quality and our experience will skyrocket. I can’t wait to see blockchain games deploying AI because this will be a perfect marriage of edge-cutting technologies. Meanwhile, you can test Bluelight.inc to see what the new-generation games look like and even earn by participating in our bug contest. There’s no AI used for testing, so you have all chances to win ;)