The role of Generative AI in video game development

Generative AI offers exciting new ways for video game developers to create engaging content, realistic graphics, and immersive gaming experiences. In this article, we’ll explore how genetic AI can improve and accelerate game development – ​​with a few examples.

What can Generative AI do?

Let’s break down some of the main elements of game development and see how genetic AI can facilitate the process:

• Procedural manufacturing. By leveraging algorithms to create vast, complex, and unpredictable environments, games can potentially deliver a unique, dynamic experience in every play session.
• Ground generation. Generative AI can help create realistic terrains, enhancing the visual appeal of game worlds.
• Automated modeling. Generative AI can streamline the creation of 3D models for characters and other elements, reducing the time and expertise required.
• Voice composition. Developers can use artificial intelligence to create varied and realistic voices for characters.
• Voice modification. Generative AI provides the means to easily modify voice recordings, thus creating a variety of voices for characters with limited resources.
• Creative music. Thanks to genetic artificial intelligence, it is possible to automatically create musical scores for games – and even create dynamic scores that change based on in-game events, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of games.
• Sound effects. Generative AI can also be used to create realistic sound effects, supporting the immersion and realism of game worlds.
• Ambient soundscape. Immersive ambient soundscapes can be created that enhance the atmosphere of the game by creating artificial intelligence.
• Dialogue generation. Generative AI can also write realistic dialogue for characters.
• Generation of personality. Generative AI is capable of creating unique and consistent character personalities that enrich the narrative.
• Dynamic storytelling. Non-linear stories that adapt based on player choices are another possibility thanks to genetic AI. This helps create a more personalized gaming experience.
• Automated mission generation. Generative AI can also be used to automatically generate quests and missions that align with the game’s overall narrative.

No wonder Assassin’s Creed developer Jade Raymond says that AI in big-budget game development is “inevitable” because of its ability to reduce costs and speed up game development.

Video game testing

Another way genetic AI can add value to video games is through in-game testing and quality assurance. First, genetic AI can be used to automatically detect bugs and flaws in games and rank them according to their priority and impact on the game. Additionally, AI’s predictive capabilities mean it can be used to analyze data to predict potential issues within a game, allowing developers to take proactive action.

Generative AI can also be used to create multiple simulated players (i.e. bots) to try out the game, all playing in different ways depending on the AI-generated play styles. This allows game developers to quickly understand where players get stuck, where players are most likely to spend money (on in-game accessories), and what factors lead to less satisfying gaming experiences.

Real world examples

Video game company Ninja Theory has reportedly harnessed genetic artificial intelligence create vocal performances – using the Altered AI voice library. Meanwhile, Ubisoft, creator of Assassin’s Creed, has developed its own AI generation tool called Ghost writer to create ‘barks’, those short phrases spoken by NPCs when triggered by certain events. The idea is to automatically generate early drafts of character dialogue (for example, enemy dialogue during a fight scene), which screenwriters can then select and, if necessary, polish. By automating these small lines of dialogue – of which there can be hundreds within a game – screenwriters can instead focus their time on the central dialogue of the plot.

Lords of the Fallen developers too experimented with generative AI during its production. The technology was used to create AI voices for prototypes in the early stages of the game’s development, with the final dialogue recorded by professional voice actors. This shows how genetic AI can be a useful tool for faster prototyping, helping to get new projects off the ground faster.

Although genetic AI will not replace the essential human creativity, imagination, and artistry used to develop new video games, it is clear that genetic AI will be a valuable tool for developers. By helping to speed up game development and reduce the costs associated with bringing new games to market, genetic AI marks a giant leap forward in video game development.