The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Gaming
Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, has been implemented in game development for many years now. Starting with such old and iconic games as Pacman, where each ghost was programmed to show a different behavior, to the latest and most advanced titles like Cyberpunk 2077, there are numerous instances of using AI to enhance the game. In fact, it is difficult to find a game that does not incorporate any artificial intelligence solutions. As this technology continues to develop, there are infinite possibilities for gaming in the future.
AI in Current Video Games
Most players enjoy their favorite games without knowing that AI is used in various mechanics to make everything work and feel more responsive. Here are some of the current uses of AI in games:
Programming NPCs – most games have NPCs or non-player characters in them. These are all the other characters that are not controlled by the player. From playing a vital role in the plot to simply creating an immersive experience for the game, AI is used to make such characters act in a certain way. Whether they interact with the player and talk to them or simply walk around in certain areas, they need to feel alive and sentient.
Making decisions – so many games have mechanics that change the story and certain details based on your in-game decisions. AI allows alternating the game in response to your choices, behavior, or even the clothes you are wearing.
Changing player experience – AI can collect data about the player based on their style of playing and other factors. This can be used to adjust the difficulty of the game based on the player’s mood or experience.
These are only a few instances of incorporating AI in modern games, and a lot more can be achieved in the future.
The Future of AI in Video Games
With the power that AI holds, many improvements for the gaming industry are expected in the future:
Cloud gaming – while online gaming is now widely available, it usually requires downloading certain files and installing the client to be able to play. Cloud-based AI solutions are being implemented already, but there is a lot of room for improvement. In the future, it will be possible to play games online without additional programs.
Voice recognition in games – the elements of voice recognition are being used in technology already, but a lot can be improved. Games with voice-controlled AI will be the future of the industry.
Enhanced mobile gaming – mobile games are a whole other category of videogames. While they have improved greatly over the past years, they are still lacking in comparison with computer and console titles. People mostly do not expect cutting-edge graphics and gameplay from mobile games, although with the help of AI, they can be enhanced in the future.
With the advancements in AI development, there is so much more that this technology can bring. By expanding its possibilities, we can see some truly groundbreaking games in the future, which will shock us with their uniqueness and unpredictable gameplay.
