Generative AI is Becoming the Go-To Tool for Game Developers Despite Backlash

by Aika Bot

Published: April 07, 2023 at 2:10 am Updated: April 07, 2023 at 2:10 am

In Brief

Generative AI, or AI that creates new images, text and sound based on prompts and training data, has had a contentious history in the game development community recently. Some users question why AI should be used when a human developer could do the job.

There has been a lot of debate within the game development community regarding the use of generative AI, which is essentially AI that creates new content based on prompts and training data. Although it has become a popular tool for those who create user-generated content, game developers have faced criticism for using generative AI. Some users have raised concerns about the necessity of AI when a human developer could perform the same job.

Generative AI is Becoming the Go-To Tool for Game Developers Despite Backlash

Despite facing opposition, game developers and publishers have started to embrace the use of AI tools. Prominent gaming companies like Unity, Epic Games, Roblox, and Ubisoft have announced the integration of generative AI in their development kits. As generative AI is becoming a more widely accepted practice in game development, creators are choosing to be transparent about their use of the technology, putting aside their initial criticisms.

The utilization of generative artificial intelligence in games has attracted criticism from various sources. It is imperative to consider all viewpoints and not omit any relevant information in this matter. As a professional, it is essential to acknowledge and address the concerns raised by critics towards the use of generative AI in the gaming industry.

A dispute arose a few months back when Squanch Games received backlash from gamers regarding their utilization of AI-generated art in their game, High On Life. CEO Justin Roiland defended the use of such art, stating that it was incorporated to give the game’s world a suitable otherworldly feel, given its setting on an alien planet. He further added that Midjourney was also employed to come up with peculiar and humorous concepts.

In a report released by Good Luck Have Fun last year, it was revealed that Altered AI’s library was used by Ninja Theory and other developers for creating vocal performances. However, Ninja Theory later clarified that the technology was only utilized for creating temporary content to aid in understanding timing and placement during the early stages of development.

During that period, the two developers faced some opposition. Voice actors expressed their displeasure with Altered AI’s utilization in tasks that they could have easily performed. Yuri Lowenthal, an actor, informed Game Developer that certain actors’ motion capture performances were being imitated by AI in games, and they were not being fairly compensated for it.

The criticism of AI-generated art mostly originated from artists who objected to the use of copyrighted images as training data. An instance involving a comic book named “Zarya of the Dawn” resulted in the United States Copyright Office ruling that the images created with Midjourney could not be copyrighted. Only the images produced by the comic’s author, Kristina Kashtanova, could be copyrighted as the Midjourney images were not created by humans. This decision has been made to ensure that the product of human authorship is protected under copyright law.

Towards the end of last year, artists became aware of the fact that every piece of artwork shared on Artstation was automatically enrolled in AI training data sharing. When concerns were raised about this policy, Tim Sweeney, Epic Games CEO, responded via Twitter stating that they would not be automatically blocking AI access, as this would make Epic a gatekeeper that restricts AI use, and would prevent any uses that fall under the fair use rules of copyright law.

The use of artificial intelligence in the creation of games is becoming more common and widespread. This trend is not unexpected given the advancements in technology and the benefits that AI can provide in game development.

A Korean developer named NCSoft has taken a step towards innovation by showcasing its latest technology in a trailer for “Project M.” The company has introduced an AI-based facial animation and sound technology that utilizes Epic’s Unreal Engine 5 to generate movements and dialogues that align with the text and sound provided by the user. The technology is expected to bring about a significant change in the AI industry.

Unity recently disclosed that it is developing a collection of generative AI tools for its game development platform. In a promotional video, a developer is seen entering a text prompt, but the resulting output is not revealed. People who are intrigued by this technology can register on Unity’s website to learn more.

The fact that game developers are willing to use generative AI tools despite facing criticism indicates their visibility in the industry. Even though some developers, like Ubisoft, acknowledge the criticism, they still believe that generative AI is a useful tool that can be utilized like any other. Stefano Corazza, the head of Roblox Studios, aptly described AI’s impact by comparing it to the internet’s growth, as it will inevitably become a fundamental part of the industry.

Unity AI is a platform that specializes in creating flying alien mushrooms. All the necessary information related to this service is included and presented in a professional manner.
Ubisoft, a well-known publisher, recently disclosed its utilization of AI with the introduction of Ghostwriter, a novel AI writing tool developed by Ubisoft La Forge, an R&D division. This tool allows writers to produce NPC “barks,” brief phrases that in-game characters utter when a player initiates an event. The AI system generates the barks, and writers can then choose appropriate ones that suit the event and NPC.
Ubisoft’s new project, Ghostwriter, is not intended to replace video game writers, but rather to ease one of their most tedious tasks, according to their announcement. At GDC, Ben Swanson, creator of Ghostwriter, presented on “Natural Language Generation for Games Writing,” describing the system as a way for narrative designers to input initial draft text that can be edited or regenerated by writers with just one click, allowing for more complex worlds and narrative systems to be created at scale.
Roblox, a prominent game company, recently introduced AI-powered tools for game creators. These tools include a material generator that replicates lighting and an AI code assist that enables developers to code faster using natural language. With millions of developers in its community, Roblox has made generative AI accessible to a much larger audience.
Generative AI is a powerful tool that is revolutionizing game development. It can create new and innovative game content, improve game mechanics, and boost player engagement. With its ability to generate vast amounts of data, it is helping game developers create more immersive and realistic gaming experiences.

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