Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in Game Development: How to Use It Effectively and Where to Draw the Line
While attending BIG Festival this past week, we had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in the gaming industry and gain insights into their success stories.
One particular panel, titled “Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in Game Development,” sparked fascinating discussions about the use of AI in creating new games and the potential as well as the pitfalls associated with it.
The panel delved into the topic of generative AI, including platforms like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Github CoPilot. Surprisingly, a recent survey of 243 game developers revealed that 87% of them currently use AI in their development process, and a staggering 99% have plans to adopt it in the future. AI tools, especially ChatGPT and Midjourney, dominated the landscape. Additionally, the survey found that 92% of programmers use AI tools daily, with 36% of gaming professionals in Brazil employing it on a daily basis.
Andrew Lum, director of Fortis Games, highlighted the benefits of AI in game development with his example of procedural generative environments. While coding such environments traditionally requires extensive programming, generative AI offers the potential for unique and complex environments with simple inputs.
Colin Riddell, the director of data engineering at Fortis Games, echoed Lum’s sentiments, emphasizing the conversational input capabilities of generative AI. Riddell stated, “The great power that generative AI has now is the conversational input they have.”
Furthermore, Lum mentioned the potential of generative AI extends beyond gaming and into fields like education.
Despite concerns about the impact of AI on creative professionals, João Paulo Alqueres, founder of Lara Digital, dismissed the idea that AI would replace human workers. He referred to it as a “copilot” rather than a ghostwriter, highlighting that generative AI can assist in game development but still requires significant human input and guidance.
Privacy and security issues surrounding AI were also raised during the panel. Lum warned, “If you wouldn’t trust a stranger with information, Chat GPT is a stranger.”
In conclusion, Lum expressed hopes that the use of AI in game development would lead to more interesting, complex, and immersive games. He believes AI can empower small teams to create larger games that were previously unattainable.
AI’s Shortcomings
Although generative AI has faced significant criticism and has a long way to go before reaching its full potential, its adoption is undeniably growing in the industry. However, the long-term implications remain uncertain.
AI has experienced a surge in popularity and has been subject to intense scrutiny regarding its impact on the workforce and the potential eradication of human jobs. For example, ChatGPT received a co-writing credit on an episode of South Park. Speculation arises whether AI could eventually create entire games from scratch or even during the conceptualization stage.
The panel concluded that, despite its potential, the technology is not yet capable of fully realizing these visions. Heavy pushback or legislative measures may prevent AI from reaching its maximum potential, and AI-driven products could become nothing more than novelties instead of industry-wide norms.
AI as a Helping Hand
One thing is clear: AI is a valuable tool in game development and other industries. As Lum emphasized, the technology can free up resources and allow teams to allocate focus more evenly across various aspects of game development. Moreover, AI has the potential to address critical issues in the gaming industry, such as burnout and crunch time.
The key is for developers to learn how to use AI effectively and ethically, recognizing it as a tool rather than a creative entity. As Alqueres highlighted, AI is not a ghostwriter. As long as game developers don’t rely on AI for every aspect of game design or use it as the main driving force, it can be a beneficial tool within the development process.