Astounded by the prevalence of AI in modern video games

In the ever-evolving world of video games, artificial intelligence (AI) is making a significant impact, reshaping the landscape of game development and player experiences.

Recently, some gamers have begun to add AI-disclosing games to their ignore list, but this hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of developers who are embracing AI wholeheartedly.

A report by Totally Human Media reveals that almost 20% of the games released this year disclose AI use, a figure that represents a 700% increase from a year ago, with over 8,000 games now incorporating AI compared to around 1,000 a year ago.

One of the key trends in AI use is generative AI for asset and narrative creation. Games like GenAI Roguelite, Liar's Bar, and The Quinfall, among others, are using AI to generate characters, backgrounds, textures, voices, background music, story arcs, marketing materials, and even code and flag offensive content for removal.

GenAI Roguelite, for instance, is entirely generated by AI, with every location, NPC, and game mechanic being a product of AI-driven creativity. Some players enjoy the chaos of the random outcomes and the game's inability to maintain a coherent story, adding to its unique appeal.

Another trend is AI for dynamic and personalized gameplay. AI agents and adaptive systems enable NPCs that learn and respond smartly, and game worlds that change dynamically based on player actions. This approach is appreciated by players who feel that games are becoming more alive and responsive.

AI is also being used for AI-powered testing and quality assurance, improving playtesting efficiency, bug detection, and performance tuning. This leads to smoother gameplay and better user experiences.

Moreover, AI is helping studios to optimize resource use during development and runtime, reducing waste and lowering energy consumption, contributing to sustainability and cost efficiency.

AI is also being integrated into workflows for repetitive tasks like balancing, localization, code generation, and testing, a move that is seen as essential for keeping up with increasing market demands.

However, the integration of AI raises ethical and technical challenges. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, AI manipulation, and the high cost and complexity of AI requiring specialized skills can exclude smaller indie studios. These issues spark ongoing industry debate.

Steam, the popular gaming platform, has responded to these developments by introducing an AI disclosure tag, allowing informed choices regarding AI in game design. This move is aimed at promoting transparency and giving gamers the power to make informed decisions about the games they play.

Despite some reservations, the overall sentiment among gamers and developers is positive. The use of AI in game design is seen as a means to augment creativity and operational efficiency, transforming the gaming industry and opening up new possibilities for game developers and players alike.

The trend in AI use for asset and narrative creation is evident in games like GenAI Roguelite, Liar's Bar, and The Quinfall, which use AI to generate various game elements such as characters, backgrounds, voices, and even code.
AI-driven creativity is at the core of GenAI Roguelite, with every location, NPC, and game mechanic being generated by AI, offering players a unique gaming experience with unpredictable outcomes.
Another significant impact of AI is in dynamic and personalized gameplay, as AI agents and adaptive systems enable NPCs that learn and respond intelligently, and game worlds that change based on player actions.
AI is essential for AI-powered testing and quality assurance, leading to improved playtesting efficiency, bug detection, and performance tuning, contributing to smoother gameplay and better user experiences.
Studios are using AI to optimize resource use during development and runtime, reducing waste and lowering energy consumption, thus promoting sustainability and cost efficiency.
AI integration is also streamlining workflows for repetitive tasks like balancing, localization, code generation, and testing, enabling studios to keep up with increasing market demands.