170°

Why AI Has No Place in Video Games

TNS: “AI has been flooding various industries, and while it has its uses, I don't believe that AI has a place in video games.”

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thenerdstash.com
Vits391d ago

"I’m primarily drawn to video games with deep stories. I want to be engaged and immersed in these fictional tales that make me see the world in ways that I haven’t before. One of the games that deeply touched me was Red Dead Redemption 2..."

I think the author just made the best argument as to why, if AI is used in games, the majority of players wouldn't even notice.

StormSnooper390d ago (Edited 390d ago )

You are right, People might not notice. But that doesn’t mean that AI in stories will not have an effect.

In the same way that people never noticed when music went from an artform back in the 70s to a systematic formula of a handful of sound schemes in today’s music, people will also not realize their stories are rehashed versions of what has already been. But they will FEEL it over time.

Back in the 70 and prior years going back centuries, music was diverse. Almost no two songs sounded the same (think Beethoven if you want an extreme example), versus today where all music is composed of previously successful musical schemas to ensure maximum adoption and reduce risk. The result is that all music sounds good, but also all music sounds familiar.

In the same way, AI uses what is available in the collective stories already in existence to come up with its “new” story, which means you will not read anything that didn’t already exist.

Good? Bad? I guess it depends on how you look at it, or how much value you put in originality. But, at the very least, one must recognize that we no longer have things like Pink Floyd’s dark side of the moon…

StormSnooper389d ago

I see some people disagree with my comment but I would like to hear why.

goken389d ago

Not sure why people disagreed with your post. But i totally noticed that western music especially since the 10s totally gone downhill.
The Chinese music scene (which i despise for the longest time) for some reason began to flourish over the past few years. I am pleasantly surprised with the creativity on display.

Speaking about creativity, whatever AI is doing, isn’t much different from what most mainstream western music producers are doing. Just task based sampling stuff here and there, which is basically what AI does. Is it any wonder why people can’t tell the difference?

To create music that resonates, emotion is involved. Feel the flow of the music… but how many people actually listen and feel? Most just follow trends and moods. Supply goes where the demand is i suppose.

rudero389d ago

I disagree because of the bad analogy.

Just like before the 70’s and after, phenomenal music was and is still made.
What killed the music industry is marketing and streaming packages that not only take more money from musicians but also is a pay to be heard scenario.

This argument would be best for gamepass style scenarios in gaming.

AI in gaming will come from those more interested in pumping out soulless games with cheaper budgets…
OR
Help lesser sized teams reach further with AI programming or “acting” etc..
Allowing more for a smaller budget.
Both in the same, just with different results intended.

StormSnooper383d ago (Edited 383d ago )

But it wasn’t an analogy. I’m saying AI can literally do the same thing to games that digital recorders did to music.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 383d ago
ZycoFox391d ago

I've seen people get outraged after only finding out afterwards that a game has AI generated stuff in it..

It can help speed up game development if it can help craft worlds quicker, it's only when it's sloppily put together that it's bad.. otherwise there's no issue.

DarXyde390d ago

The problem really is balancing AI utility with consumer expectations.

It's really unfair to be upset about how long games take to make, massive budgets, costing a premium to purchase, and not taking proper advantage of the hardware and then using AI is bad. We've created very frightening expectations.

AI has a ton of problems and needs to be well regulated, but it can absolutely be a tool to support the workforce.

Unfortunately, there are extensive schemes from the most useless at these companies (I.e., the execs) to figure out how to make games at a fraction of a fraction of the cost, charge $70+, and fire as much of their workforce as possible.

In a perfect world, we get back to the PS1 days where 100K sold is super successful and dev teams are working on multiple games that can all release within 1-2 years of each other. What we should really desire are big experimental games. Devs really play it safe and it shows.

Deathtracker391d ago (Edited 391d ago )

AI is only good if used to speed up things requiring the least amount of creativity.

Eidolon390d ago

I'm okay with the use of AI as an assistive tool for ideas and concepts, unless they trained the AI models in-house on their own work and the output is quality controlled.

390d ago
CS7390d ago

Lmao.

AI was a huge factor in gaming way before the AI craze started.

95% of games have you dealing with some sort of beings /creatures that you need to create believable mannerisms.

The more intelligent and truly reactive to the player they are the more immersive the game can be.

AI is going to be 100% part of game development going forward.

The game developers that succeed would be the ones that use AI not as a lazy cost cutting tool, but a way to create worlds, characters and stories way beyond anything we can conceive of today.

Nacho_Z390d ago

How can AI "create worlds, characters and stories way beyond anything we can conceive of today" when its entire output is based on what it's learned from humans.

It's a useful tool and has big potential in gaming but if you're wanting it to create brand new experiences you're barking up the wrong tree.

CS7390d ago

Scale my friend. Scale.

It is impractical to create a world like GTA5 scale with every interior explorable.

With the help of AI we’ll soon be able to create games of that scale.

What about a city where you can interact and talk to everyone infinitely? Impossible manually.

There would still be human crafted art and stories at the center of games but AI would be used as a TOOL to augment the creative process.

Nacho_Z390d ago

More explorable interiors and NPCs with infinite waffley dialogue is still a million miles away from your claim that AI can "create worlds, characters and stories way beyond anything we can conceive of today".

It's a tool, that's it. It will never replace human creativity.

Michiel1989387d ago

that's not AI, thats just programming patterns and randomizing them, very few games have done actual AI, if we don't include AI upscaling for older titles and the random AI images in some games/shovelware

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40°

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sonyinteractive.com
110°

There's an Underrepresented Majority That Wants Entertainment Without Agendas, Says Ex Tripwire CEO

Ex-Tripwire CEO John Gibson shares his 'Entertainment First' vision to capture the agenda-free magic of classics like Star Wars, Zelda, and Metroid.

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wccftech.com
Goodguy012d ago

Yes. Just make a good game instead of worrying it should make some kind of stupid social/political differences in the world... we've got enough of that in the real world. Games are places we can escape to and just have fun.

z2g2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

How about you make a game that’s important to you and the people who are interested in that buy it and the ones that don’t like it don’t have to buy it. Just because something bugs some people doesn’t mean there aren’t other people who it doesn’t bug. Someone’s hangups shouldn’t be other people’s problems.

Don’t want a game that features a political or cultural statement or an underrepresented group of people? Don’t buy it.

Not all of us just want vapid, mindless fantasy all the time. Sometimes we want something that represents us or means something. There’s nothing wrong with that. Look how many movies in the world have covered so many types of stories, people or historical controversies to huge successes. Games are no different.

Eonjay2d ago

The plot to remove representation or ideas and content that you dont approve of is an agenda within itself. Its also censorship. People need are trapped in this main- character syndrome where they believe that the world and all of its happens are fashioned for them alone.

crazyCoconuts2d ago

"Don't buy it"
Exactly what people do.
And then big companies are reminded why if you want to make money you may not want to do things like villainize half your market. If you want to preach one side of an argument you're gonna lose people. At least do the Deus Ex/GTA thing and show the warts on both sides so everyone has something to agree with

senorfartcushion2d ago

We’re still waiting on that Splinter Cell remake…

raWfodog2d ago

On the flip side of that, good games can have characters of different ethnic and social backgrounds without thinking that some agendas are trying to be pushed. I've played many, many great games throughout my life with many different characters (male, female, white, people of color, even some animal characters) and loved them all simply for the story and entertainment they provided me while I escaped into those worlds.

senorfartcushion2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That’s not possible.

Being a child doesn’t remove the political points of OLD GAMES, we were just kids. In fact, older media was decidedly more political than some of the cowardly, childish efforts we have today.

This is precisely why we are still to get that Splinter Cell remake. We can’t have a fun Splinter Cell game with AAA graphics because a few virgins don’t want “politics in their games.”

neutralgamer19922d ago

Keep gaming free of nonsense. Agenda pushing in social media age has gotten worst

senorfartcushion1d 11h ago

Name a game and I’ll tell you what the agenda was

Notellin2d ago

"While our first game is faith-based"

Yeah you guys want to get rid of all the politics and play a nice Southern Baptist game. We get it.

Christopher1d 23h ago

He should follow his own words, then.

*** That changed around two years ago, when he started consulting for Bible X, the studio behind the Christian-based game project Gate Zero. Last month, Gibson, through his recently established publisher Templar Media, acquired the developer.***

Not sure there's anything more political in history than religion.

S2Killinit1d 21h ago

But his statement is also an agenda. Hope people are intelligent enough to know that.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 1d 11h ago
z2g2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I fail to see how representing actual underrepresented or making them feel included is an “agenda”. This is an extremely self centered selfish viewpoint. Those actual underrepresented people just want to be recognized as valid. The privileged majority who are always represented take that for granted and can’t deal with the fact that “other” types of people or views exist. Inclusion or awareness isn’t an agenda. It’s representing reality and making those “other” people or stories be seen and align with actual reality.

There are literally thousands and thousands of games to choose from, and if you are annoyed that some have cultural or topical relevance, that’s your problem and you don’t have to buy them. Meanwhile other people who want that actually have games that speak to them. So sick of this “my way or the highway” attitude.

And there are plenty of games out there, if that privileged majority have an issue or don’t want a game based on cultural relevance. Pick up a Switch. Most games are g-rated, noncontroversial cartoons with stories fit for tweens. No reality to get mad at.

2d ago Replies(2)
KyRo2d ago

It's always me me me me me with you lot. There's a difference between representation and forcing it for the sake of forcing something to a very very loud but very small minority.

Christopher2d ago

You really are only proving their point with this sort of response to the idea of people feeling included in some games versus the plethora of games without it.

Outside_ofthe_Box2d ago

We need to define what "forcing" is because I've seen people say things like Aloy being female in Horizon is pushing an agenda or catering to a "very very loud but very small minority" before.

dveio2d ago

@z2g

I personally think you've nailed it here.

For decades, wether in film or music, there had been ONE primary target group.

And if you're looking further, even in economy, laws, courts or any other area there had been only one target group.

While others, let's be real, were surpressed.

It's "funny" though - why do we all think personalities like David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Freddy Mercury, etc., have had such a huuuge impact on cultures and society? Because they were 1:1 depicts of the Demon Slayer or the Duke?

No, because they were different. Because we all are different.

The only people time and time again that are complaining, whining and moaning about everything (while highly likely even been a fan of Queen or something) are prejudiced people.

Are people that "But it's never been any different, and I want it to stay that way!".

There's nothing highly hidden here. It's always been the same. After decades, even centuries of rules written by and for the "one primary target group", they are now the loudest that complain & moan.

Inverno2d ago

Y'all could also, ya know, just not buy games you feel have an agenda? This constant bitching coming from all these whiney men every time they see a game that isn't catering to them specifically is tiring. They latch themselves onto these games and throw endless amounts of harassment as if there aren't another thousand games releasing before/around/after. I'm usually outspoken when it comes to forced diversity in games, but the issue here is you're all bigoted as hell and need to learn to be a little less offended. Y'all become the snowflakes you mocked so much lol.

MrDead2d ago

This guy is one of the biggest most delicate snowflakes out there, I'm sure he'll be crying on Tucker Carlson or Fox "News" again soon.

Michiel19892d ago

@christopher cater to and include are two very different things. Played most of the games you mentioned and had no issue with any of em because they just include it. I have no issue with inclusion of that, but if in the next god of war, Kratos would all of a sudden hyperfocus on being a strong independent man or a hypermasculine one, I would give them shit for it as well. It has nothing to do with the inclusion of x or y group, but about the integrity of the game.

@inverno stop putting words in my mouth . It's actually the opposite of what you say, I said there can be no conversation because as soon as you criticize them, a whole angry mob comes at you and tries to cancel you. Thankfully it's become less and less over time and people actually realize now they can voice their opinion without having the fear of losing their job.
You really can't see that a lot of companies are now backpeddalling about the woke bs? They finally realize making your product worse to cater to a group who doesn't buy your product anyway is terrible.

Michiel19892d ago ShowReplies(4)
PitbullMonster1d 19h ago

Who was crying about kingdom come deliverance, Stellar Blade and the first descendant? White Hetero men Or leftards?

Inverno1d 8h ago

Leftards but those games still went on to release and become financially and critically successful. This dood, who was a CEO, went on social media to voice an opinion that at the time was controversial. Just cause you have freedom of speech and expression doesn't mean you hafto always voice your opinions publicly. He had to step down because it was more about the company than just him. Now he's back talking bout "unrepresented majority", as if there aren't different audiences to cater to. Since people from both sides can't seem to escape getting fired for voicing opinions then I guess everyone's got to equally face the consequences of their inability to shut up.

MrBaskerville2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Star wars, anti agenda? Lol. I don't think Lucas would agree.

Inverno2d ago

One of the most politically charged movies in existence. They can pretend it's all about space wizards with swords but the space nazis are still in the movies and they're still the bad guys. It's ironic as hell.

JEECE2d ago

More evidence that if the agenda feels legitimate within the story's world, people don't even notice that it is an agenda and they don't complain.

Elit3Nick2d ago

This one gave me a chuckle, too.

JEECE2d ago

As ever, this is a misguided expression of the speaker's issue. While of course there are some games (pure puzzle games, etc) that have no agenda, any game with a narrative is conveying some type of message. What people who say they don't like "woke" or "politics in games" actually mean is that they don't like hamfisted, poorly written narratives/characters that are thin veneers for modern political messages that feel out of place in the game's universe. It's why all these people complain about the Veilguard and not Baldur's Gate 3. They both have "woke" characters but in BG3 they feel like they belong in the universe, while in the Veilguard they just feel like generic fantasy skins for modern American 20-somethings.

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40°

Interview: Groovin’ On a New Donkey Kong Country Tribute Album

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gamerhub.co.uk
18h ago