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Generative AI in Video Game Development
While generative AI is still in its early stages, it is poised to have a significant impact on the future of video game development. The potential for NPCs in games to have an endless array of responses and to comprehend any input from the player is an exciting prospect. Additionally, the idea of a game world that can dynamically change based on the player’s actions, with each alteration being unique to their specific gameplay, opens up new possibilities for immersive experiences.
Incorporating Generative AI in Game Development
Although it may take another year or two for major AAA titles to fully utilize generative AI for enhanced gameplay, many studios and developers are already exploring its applications in smaller scale games. Jam & Tea Studios is one such example, a new studio incorporating generative AI as a core element in their debut game, Retail Mage. In this role-playing game, players assume the role of a wizard working at a magical furniture store, where the interactions with customers are shaped by the player’s choices and responses. By allowing players to input text into dialogue boxes and select from various response options, Retail Mage offers a unique and personalized gaming experience.
AI in Player-NPC Interactions
The use of generative AI not only extends to NPC interactions but also encompasses object interactions within the game. Players can interact with any object and specify their desired actions, with the game providing appropriate responses. While visual representations of these interactions may not always be feasible, textual descriptions capture the changes made by the player. Retail Mage serves as an initial example of a game leveraging generative AI, with the potential for more innovative titles to follow suit.
Insights from the Developers
M. Yichao, co-founder and chief creative officer at Jam & Tea Studios, shared insights on the role of generative AI in video games. While acknowledging the efficiency gains from AI tools in content generation for developers, the true innovation lies in the player-centric experiences enabled by generative AI. AI-powered NPCs offer a more improvisational and reactive gameplay experience, distinct from traditional scripted interactions. The balance between player freedom and narrative structure is crucial in creating engaging and safe AI-driven gaming experiences.
Guardrails for AI NPCs
To maintain relevance and safety in AI-powered NPCs, technical optimizations and game design strategies are essential. The combination of fine-tuning models, unique game architectures, and curated prompts helps control the output of AI-generated content. Design systems that align player intent with in-game actions, such as providing dialogue options based on player suggestions, ensure a seamless and immersive gameplay experience. Establishing guidelines for NPC behavior and reactions further enhances the player’s agency in shaping the game world.
Addressing AI ‘Hallucinations’
The issue of AI ‘hallucinations,’ where AI-generated content diverges from intended outcomes, necessitates careful design and oversight. By implementing stringent quality control measures and player-friendly interfaces, developers can mitigate the risk of unintended AI behaviors. The focus remains on empowering players to engage creatively with AI-driven content while maintaining coherence and consistency in the overall gaming experience.
Advancements in AI Conversations and Actions in Games
One area where we’ve made significant advancements — putting us ahead of many larger teams in this space—is our ability to have our characters not only converse (AI chatbot-level functionality), but also plan and execute actions and behaviors in the game world. We actually dialed this back a little for Retail Mage, as customers finding all the items they’re looking for on their own, or even helping other customers before players can, isn’t ideal when players should be the (retail) heroes!
On the AI R&D front, we’ve made exciting progress through proprietary methodologies. And as we refine our foundational technology, we also leverage our creative design and gameplay craft to build in moments where strangeness becomes an intentional part of the charm, rather than feeling like errors or bugs. I’ve seen an NPC who “hallucinated” about a non-existent area of the store get corrected by other NPCs, while some NPCs started a conspiratorial rumor about a “hidden back room” as a result!
Exploring the Use of AI Beyond Dialogue in Games
Fun fact: we’ll have worked on Retail Mage for just 6 months from start to ship! Before focusing on this smaller game, our studio was immersed in R&D, building and testing many [generative] AI features for our larger RPG title, codenamed Project Emily. In that work, we developed many exciting mechanics, combining traditional procedural generation techniques to create a more responsive fantasy world for players to explore.
However, we know the best way to test and validate is by shipping games to players. So we selected a few of our most exciting mechanics to build Retail Mage—a smaller, more indie-scale experience that will give players their first taste of what’s possible in an improvisational game world.
In Retail Mage, [generative] AI is woven into everything from character creation to NPC logic to our item systems and beyond. The two main mechanics players will experience most directly are dialogue with NPCs and item interactions.
Impacts of AI Usage in Video Games on Creatives
We fundamentally believe that as [generative] AI use proliferates, the need for human creators will increase, not decrease. [Generative] AI makes it easier than ever to generate content. But as I said in the AP article: infinite content without meaning is just infinite noise.
Put another way: if no person bothered to create the experience, why should we expect any person to bother to consume it, much less enjoy it?
Developers, voice actors, artists, and all creatives at our studio are crucial to crafting meaningful experiences that will delight and bring folks together.
The Importance of Creating Engaging Products
In the realm of technology validation, our focus lies in the creation of products that captivate and motivate users. Retail Mage serves as a prime example of this philosophy in action. The positive reception we have received thus far has sparked interest in our broader suite of tools and platform. Moving forward, our company is enthusiastic about not only producing exceptional games but also facilitating the empowerment of others through the licensing of our innovative technology.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence
One of the key topics that our team is delving into is Artificial Intelligence. This cutting-edge field holds immense potential for transforming the landscape of gaming and technology as a whole. By leveraging AI, we aim to enhance the user experience and open up new possibilities for interactive engagement.
