AI Will Speed Up Game Development, Gaming Industry Analysts Say
Analysts believe that in 2024 developers will use artificial intelligence more often in game development, but it will also allow for more people to be making games.
2024 could be the year of AI-powered tools for the gaming market. At least that's according to analysts interviewed by Gamesindustry.biz in the context of predictions on how the gaming industry will develop in the next 12 months.
The editors' guests (representing Niko Partners, MIdiA Research, Kantan Games, Ampere Analysis and Newzoo groups) addressed both their predictions from a year ago (assessing whether they came true) and their forecasts for the future. They did not agree on all topics, but on one point they appeared to be unanimous: developers will use AI more often in game development.
Even at first glance, this thesis can be taken for granted, so to speak. In 2022, the web was gripped by a craze for AI algorithms. For many, they were just another toy for "merry creations of the Internet."
Nevertheless, even then some game developers were mentioning the possibility of using such tools, and even some gamers decided to harness artificial intelligence to do the job. This was followed by tangible announcements from developers and publishers, although there was no shortage of many skeptics.
- Also analysts point to "legal" issues and other concerns in making AI do the work that need to be addressed, as well as possible negative effects. The latter take into account increased competition in the market, thereby reducing the earnings of the "average game developer".
- Indeed, such would be the effect of an otherwise positive change: AI could enable more people to create games. For example, people with an idea for excellent gameplay, but without experience in programming as such. Along with this go facilities introduced by game engine developers, with Unreal Engine 5 and Unity leading the way.
- Artificial intelligence could also be a savior for developers and publishers struggling with rising game development costs. AI-based tools will speed up the design phase, saving both time and money for other game elements.
At the same time, analysts caveat that it is the issue of using artificial intelligence for development that is legally unclear. However, AI can also be used to make virtual worlds more interactive, for example, to generate "realistic and natural" dialogues and behavior of NPCs, or to assist players in creating their own in-game content.
One Gamesindustry.biz interviewee also believes that in 2024 we will get at least one "big" game created mainly based on artificial intelligence. Time will tell whether these predictions will come true, but it is very likely. The only question is how this will be received by opponents of AI, who seem to be growing in number with more examples, announcements and suspicions about the use of artificial intelligence by publishers.
