Revolutionary Applications of AI Technology in the Gaming Industry

At the 2023 Global Game Developers Conference, the application of AI technology in games became the most关注的焦点. OpenAI founder Sam Altman once stated: "AI is one of the few things that, after being seriously hyped, is still seriously underestimated." This statement is especially pertinent in the gaming industry. The rapid development of AIGC technology is currently giving rise to a wave of transformation in the entire gaming industry.

This is a revolution in productivity.

1. The Widespread Application of AI Technology in Games

In fact, AI technology has long been widely used in the gaming industry, from intelligent battles to virtual worlds, from intelligent customer service to cheating behavior detection, among various aspects. With the wave of AIGC driving it, the gaming industry is迎来 a new round of AI transformation nodes, with the main trend summarized as "reducing costs and increasing efficiency".

1.1 AI creates high-quality animations

The Metahuman Animator technology showcased by Epic Games can create high-quality animations in just a few minutes. Users only need an iPhone to quickly map facial expressions and movements onto virtual characters, generating highly realistic animations.

1.2 AI-generated 3D game scenes

The tool developed by Opus.ai allows users to create dynamic lighting, camera control, terrain, trees, animals, buildings, and other 3D game scenes and components through text input.

1.3 AI NPC Build "Westworld" in the Game

The GAEA technology system can build a complete NPC ecosystem. A certain company used this technology to realize the "Living Chang'an City" demo, where the NPCs have no preset scripts and are entirely controlled by AI, able to interact with each other and possess "memories," forming an evolving small "society."

1.4 AI-generated NPC dialogue

The Ghostwriter tool developed by a certain game company helps screenwriters generate initial NPC dialogue when events are triggered, greatly improving work efficiency.

1.5 AI Rapid Game Asset Generation

The Scenario platform allows users to quickly create their own generative AI engines, turning game asset ideas into reality with just a few clicks.

2. AI Application Practices in Major Game Companies

Major gaming companies both domestically and internationally have actively integrated AI into the game production process, including assisting in character design and generating various game assets. During the operation phase, AI is also used to produce marketing materials, lowering the threshold for UGC content creation.

Some games have begun to apply AI technology:

• "Nishuihan" has implemented the function of generating situational poetry through AI during game screenshots.
• Genshin Impact players use AI technology to create high-quality Coser photos and character derivative artworks.
• A certain overseas gaming company uses AI tools for multilingual translation, generating operational materials, and fan songs, etc.

3. The Significance of AI for Small Teams

For small teams, AI tools mainly serve to "reduce costs":

• Lower the threshold for game development, such as AI-generated game character animations.
• Reduce content costs and quickly produce 2D/2.5D materials
• Create unique creative game works using AI technology

Some independent developers have begun to try using AI tools to create complete games. The development of AIGC technology has brought more possibilities for small teams.

4. Conclusion

AIGC technology is developing at an astonishing speed, constantly breaking through people's imagination. In the face of this technological revolution, game practitioners need to embrace AI technology with an open mind and explore its endless possibilities in the gaming field.