With the expansion of their activities in the background, video game developers are delving into the rapidly evolving field of conceptual AI, which may soon be applied in real-world gaming scenarios.
The developers of the popular social app Rec Room from Seattle recently introduced Fractura, an in-game environment described as a “research endeavor” to showcase how users can employ relational AI to create their own content within the application.
In their pursuit of innovation and knowledge sharing, the Seattle-based company evaluated more than 20 different tools, including ChatGPT, to lay the groundwork for Fractura’s narrative. Subsequently, they utilized Skybox, an AI tool developed by Blockade Labs, to visualize Fractura’s mysterious stars by drawing on concepts from Midjourney and DALL-E, and then translating these visualized ideas into 3D assets using CSM and Shap-E.
The potential of 3D GenAI shows promise, with Rec Room expressing eagerness for further exploration in a blog post, despite facing certain challenges along the way.
The discussion surrounding AI has been a prominent theme in the video game industry in 2023, reflecting conversations happening in the broader tech landscape. However, issues such as a series of ongoing layoffs throughout the year, leading to around 10,000 developers losing their jobs since January, have somewhat overshadowed this discourse.
While no interviewed developer has shown enthusiasm for technologies that could automate tasks and displace individuals in an already precarious job market, some game studios are beginning to reap the benefits of generative AI.
Zorans Weight, based in New York, has utilized ChatGPT as a valuable tool for playtesting, educational purposes, code analysis, and implementing new features for its free-to-play arena shooter RoboSquad. By granting AI access to the game’s database, Zorans has empowered the AI to analyze gameplay footage and pinpoint specific segments based on keywords like “bug” or “Steam Play,” streamlining the detection and resolution of potential issues.
According to Joey Thigpen, co-lead developer, the AI has significantly increased overall productivity by eliminating the need for repetitive review of gameplay videos.
David Ryan Hunt, CEO of Noodle Cat Games in Salt Lake City, stresses the importance of distinguishing between using conceptual AI to speed up development processes and employing the technology to generate AI-driven content for games. While acknowledging the appeal of AI’s efficiency in generating content swiftly, Hunt highlights the unseen efforts and complexities involved in game development.
The ethical and legal implications surrounding AI proficiency and content creation are crucial aspects that require attention and scrutiny in this ongoing dialogue.
The use of data, often sourced from publicly available online repositories, to train conceptual AI tools has raised concerns among artists like Greg Rutkowski, who have observed AI tools mimicking their unique artistic styles without consent. Countermeasures such as Nightshade have been developed to address the unauthorized use of AI-generated content that infringes on original artistic works.
Valve Software’s rejection of a game submission on Steam due to its AI-generated content has underscored the legal uncertainties and copyright implications associated with AI-driven creations. Valve’s firm stance on emerging technologies that pose legal risks, such as AI-generated content, reflects the industry’s changing landscape and the necessity for clear guidelines and regulations.
In the realm of artificial content creation, the integration of conceptual AI in game design presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI shows promise in facilitating user-generated content and improving gameplay experiences, concerns remain regarding the sources of data used to train AI models and the potential legal implications of AI-generated content.
Collaborations like the one between Microsoft and Inworld, aimed at integrating AI enhancements in upcoming Xbox games, indicate a shift towards leveraging AI to transform game narratives and interactions. Tools like Adventure Forge from Endless Adventures provide users with a no-code platform to create diverse games, empowered by built-in AI capabilities that streamline asset creation and game development processes.
As the gaming industry navigates the evolving landscape of AI integration, the distinction between procedural generation and conceptual AI remains a critical consideration. While procedural generation relies on predefined algorithms to assemble game elements, conceptual AI strives to autonomously create new content based on learned patterns and data.
Looking ahead, the industry must confront the ethical implications and practical challenges posed by the widespread adoption of AI in game development. As the lines blur between human-created and AI-generated content, responsible AI usage and safeguarding intellectual property rights become increasingly vital in ensuring a sustainable and innovative gaming ecosystem.
