Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the gaming industry. AI-powered games have altered the way humans play and interact with virtual worlds. This has created new opportunities as well as challenges for developers.
The use of AI in gaming has progressed has enabled developers to create more immersive and engaging gaming experiences, as well as personalized content, and more intelligent game mechanics.
According to Jun Kawasaki, CEO MetaX Global, the benefits are, as he has explained to Digital Journal:
Behavioural adaptation
One of the most significant benefits of AI in gaming is the ability to create more realistic and intelligent virtual opponents. This has led to the rise of competitive AI-powered gaming, where players compete against sophisticated computer algorithms in complex games like chess, Go, and poker.
The primary contribution is where AI-powered opponents can learn from the human player’s behaviour, and then adapt to their strategies, and offer a more challenging and rewarding experience.
Personalized experiences
AI is also being used to create more personalized gaming experiences, such as tailoring the game’s content and difficulty level to the player’s preferences and skill level. This can be seen in games like Assassin’s Creed, which uses machine learning to create unique and personalized side quests for each player based on their gameplay patterns and style.
Game mechanics
In addition to creating more immersive and personalized gaming experiences, AI can transform game mechanics. The advantage here is that AI-powered game mechanics can create more intelligent and dynamic gameplay, such as creating realistic traffic flow in racing games or generating more realistic and unpredictable weather patterns in open-world games.
However, there are ethical issues that arise through the use of AI. Kawasaki states:
Development challenges: Societal ethics
Yet there are also significant challenges that must be addressed. One of the most significant challenges is the ethical use of AI in gaming. Developers must ensure that AI-powered games do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or reinforce negative behaviours.
For example, a study found that players who played games with stereotypical depictions of women were more likely to express sexist attitudes than those who played games without such depictions. Developers must be aware of the potential impact that their games may have on players and strive to create inclusive and diverse gaming experiences.
Development challenges: Addiction
Another challenge is the potential for AI-powered games to become addictive. As AI algorithms learn and adapt to the player’s behaviour, they can create a more compelling and engaging gaming experience. However, this can also lead to players becoming too absorbed in the game and neglecting other aspects of their lives.
According to a study by the World Health Organization, gaming addiction affects 3 percent of gamers worldwide. Developers must take responsibility for ensuring that their games do not contribute to gaming addiction and provide players with the necessary tools and resources to manage their gaming habits.
Development challenges: Data privacy
Finally, the use of AI in gaming raises concerns about data privacy and security. As AI algorithms collect and analyse vast amounts of data about players’ behaviour, there is a risk that this data could be misused or stolen. Developers must take steps to protect players’ data privacy and ensure that their games are secure from cyber threats.
Despite these challenges, the future of AI in gaming continuing, in areas like blockchain gaming and GameFi, as well as through Web3 technologies.
