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AI Gamedev & The Democratization of Game Development

Learn about the tools, challenges, and ethical concerns shaping the future of AI in gaming.

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Generative AI has taken the tech world by storm, particularly since the early days of DALL-E and ChatGPT. Generative AI’s capabilities have improved tremendously in a short time. This progress is best exemplified by the famous “Will Smith Eating Spaghetti” video. Comparing iterations just a year apart reveals a dramatic transformation. The 2023 version was clearly fake, hard to interpret, and low in resolution. In contrast, the 2024 version is convincing enough to resemble an actual movie clip. However, subtle flaws remain. These include strange, erratic body movements and a painterly texture that lacks realistic detail, signalling that something is still off. As generative AI continues to evolve, its potential will be increasingly harnessed in the games industry, kickstarting a new phenomenon: AI gamedev.

Thumbnail from the Will Smith video showing the incredible progress.

ChatGPT launched in November 2022, marking a significant expansion of generative AI beyond visual creation. Within just two months, it reached 100 million monthly active users. A staggering achievement considering it took TikTok nine months to reach the same milestone. Competitors quickly took notice: Microsoft announced plans to integrate ChatGPT-like features into Bing. ChatGPT gained a reputation for generating high-quality written text and engaging in conversational exchanges. But its potential extends further, and it could have a profound impact on game development.

ChatGPT’s ability to produce code in languages like Java and C has been the subject of studies assessing its efficiency. For instance, a study by the European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) found that ChatGPT is a powerful tool for debugging and bug repair. However, the study advises using it as part of a broader software development strategy because its limited domain knowledge can still introduce faults.

This is a piece of a conversation that I had with ChatGPT. I wasn’t very familiar with C# interfaces, so I asked for advice.

Games that once required hours, weeks, and large teams can now be completed much faster with fewer people. Much like the industrial revolution transformed physical production, generative AI promises to revolutionize game development, speeding up production and improving efficiency. When production becomes more efficient, it becomes less complex and more accessible to a broader audience. For example, here’s how generative AI could help:

  • If you are a highly skilled game artist but struggle with programming, ChatGPT can help you:
    • Identify faults in your scripts.
    • Suggest more manageable software architectures.
  • If you’re working on a tech demo for a client but lack the time or expertise to create sprites or 3D models, art generators like DALL-E can:
    • Quickly provide the assets you need to present your pitch effectively.

The opened gates and lowered barrier to entry will create new competition for established players. Although no games have yet been developed primarily or substantially with AI support, researchers have studied how generative AI could assist indie game developers. Guo Freeman and Ruchi Panchanadikar from Clemson University explored this possibility in their study, “I’m a Solo Developer, but AI is My New Ill-Informed Co-Worker: Envisioning and Designing Generative AI to Support Indie Game Development.” According to their research:

  • 9.7% of collected posts expressed an optimistic view of the changes generative AI will bring to the games industry.
  • Indie developers see it as a game-changer that enables them to compete on equal footing with larger counterparts.
    • One developer noted, “It’s just faster and cheaper. You can’t compete if you’re not cutting down production costs.”

Generative AI could assist in the following ways:

  • Asset Creation:
    • Generating 3D models, 2D sprites, music, and textures.
    • Reducing the time and cost required for these tasks.
  • Game Design:
    • Assisting with dialogue trees and story arcs.
    • Automating testing and debugging processes.
  • Leveling the Playing Field:
    • Helping small studios tackle complex genres such as open-world games.
    • Enabling developers to compete with larger studios by cutting down costs and production time.

A triple-A game like GTA V requires massive financial and human resources. The budget can reach hundreds of millions of dollars. According to financial services firm Sterne Agee, the overall cost of developing GTA V was $246.8 million, though even that is an estimate. These resources span various departments: art, music, storytelling, voice acting, and NPC AI systems that respond to player actions.

Asset creation is the most expensive part of game development, covering 3D models, 2D sprites, music, sound effects, voices, and textures.

Now, imagine an average indie game studio. Such teams often consist of a solo developer or a small group of 10 people. With the help of generative AI, they could create vibrant cities and intricate buildings like Los Santos. Therefore, generative AI would allow small developers to take on complex game genres. This includes open-world and strategy games that were previously out of scope for indie developers.

However, asset creation isn’t the only area where generative AI can make an impact. Generative AI could assist in creating dialogue trees, developing story arcs, and automating testing and debugging processes. These are crucial aspects of game development, especially as a game becomes more ambitious.

Established names in the games industry are preparing to explore AI gamedev. Nico Perony, Unity’s director of AI research, announced that Unity 6 will integrate generative AI directly into its engine, designed to work “seamlessly with the ecosystem of Unity Editor.” Unity AI comprises two tools: Unity Muse and Unity Sentis. Muse offers sub-tools like Muse Chat for natural language queries, Muse Sprite for generating 2D art, and Muse Texture for creating production-ready textures. These tools aim to help developers iterate, experiment, and prototype more dynamically all within the Unity Editor—eliminating the need for additional software.

Unity Muse allows you to generate 3D textures with a prompt.

Addressing ethical concerns surrounding generative AI, Unity’s director of AI research emphasized that these tools are designed as supportive aids rather than replacements. This echoes the European Alliance for Innovation’s findings, which highlight the role of generative AI as part of a collaborative strategy.

AI gamedev will be a transformative force, ushering in new talent and perspectives that will disrupt traditional modes of game development. However, this revolution may not be universally accessible. Key challenges include:

  • Resource Barriers:
  • Ethical Concerns:
    • Whether AI tools will replace human creativity.
    • The impact of proprietary vs. open-source AI on innovation.

Despite these challenges, open-source initiatives could level the playing field. Companies like IBM and Intel seem to advocate for this route. Maryam Ashoori, IBM’s Director of Product, emphasized this vision, stating, “We believe the future of AI is open.” If this philosophy prevails, AI gamedev could truly democratize game development, empowering even the smallest studios to compete globally.

The question remains: will the industry embrace openness, or will proprietary control stifle innovation?

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Written by
Samuele Amaddio -

🕹️ Game Design Graduate at LSBU

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