AI has become a pivotal force, notably influencing the industry's trajectory. According to Luka Crnkovic-Friis, Head of AI and ML at King, renowned for games like Candy Crush, Farm Heroes, and Pet Rescue, 2024 will witness AI playing a central role in reshaping the gaming experience.
1. Supercharging Personalized Gaming Experiences
In the coming year, AI is poised to revolutionize gaming by providing developers with in-depth insights into player interactions. This advancement will lead to a surge in personalized gaming journeys, where developers can dynamically tailor gameplay, adjusting difficulty levels, and introducing new storyline choices for a more immersive experience. As Crnkovic-Friis explains, "We want to give them experiences that are the most fun for them."
2. Greater Real-Time Adaptation
AI is not only becoming more adept at processing vast amounts of data but is also doing so at unprecedented speeds. This will result in real-time adaptations during gameplay. For instance, if a player finds a game too challenging, AI can adjust opponent strength or puzzle complexity on the fly. Non-player characters (NPCs) will also evolve, intelligently responding to a player's actions or the game's context.
3. AI as Game Developers' Sidekick
The year 2023 marked the mainstream acceptance of AI, with companies adopting a test-and-learn approach. Looking ahead, 2024 will witness game developers seamlessly integrating AI into their daily work routines as they gain confidence in its use cases and benefits. AI will optimize software development processes, enhance team productivity, and streamline mundane tasks. At King, AI is already utilized to suggest code improvements, simulate player behavior, and support level designers in testing and refining game aspects.
4. Putting Ethics at the Heart of AI Experimentation
As AI takes center stage, ethical considerations and regulatory scrutiny are expected to intensify in 2024. Game developers will grapple with balancing experimentation with responsible implementation and transparency. From intellectual property rights to bias and security, a gamut of complex challenges will be addressed. Companies like King are proactively addressing this by establishing an AI Ethics Committee and a Centre of Excellence, ensuring a responsible and ethical approach to AI implementation.
In the dynamic world of gaming, the integration of AI is set to redefine the user experience, offering unprecedented personalization and real-time adaptations while necessitating a careful ethical approach to its implementation.
