Seeing AI as the Game-Changer in the Gameplay Experience

         Millions of eyes have already marveled at the new dimensions that Artificial Intelligence has bestowed on our way of life. As the developing  machine learning algorithms have set many global industries in motion to evolve into what they are today, we can't simply disregard how we perceive the future where old ways are put to rest to wake up to a new reality. And in that new reality of advanced technology, what exactly does the future have in store for us in terms of the art of engaging in an immersive experience of gameplay? Over the years, AI has pushed the boundaries of perceiving the definition of game design. 

    Needless to say, for any player, the engagement with the game becomes more spiced up if there is a realistic touch when battling against the enemies on virtual platforms. From shooting games to strategy games, the game playing experience has unquestionably become more visually appealing and interactive than it was a decade ago. These progressive changes have paved the way for players to interact with Non-player characters (NPC) in a more interactive way enhancing the game-player experience. With the integration of AI in the development of games, it is now a possibility for designers to generate responsive, adaptive, or intelligent functions in an NPC. Just imagine taking a  stroll in the rich metropolis of Novigrad and if you fancy you can even strike up a chat about their culture and history in a hearth-lit virtual tavern. 

    It comes as no surprise that AI and gaming began to overlap each other more than half a century ago in 1947 with one of the most noteworthy inclusions of Deep Blue, a chess computer created by IBM. Even though AI is perceived to be the holy grail to make video games engaging, some argue that AI in gaming is only emergent or automation gameplay as the system is not particularly intelligent as it is in self-driving vehicles. Therefore, the question arises if we can put AI on a pedestal in terms of its influence on prevailing developments in commercial gaming. For gameplay to be smarter, is there more of a deep-learning subset of a broader machine learning that needs to be introduced to modern-day gameplay? If you get a sneak peek at the  AI progression in the world of technology, the inclusion of such an advanced system will very soon be clear on the horizon. 

    It is however the opinion of many that the essence of a real experience of the gameplay lies in the fact that game AI creates a sense of awe and mystery rather than the AI system trying to pass off as an intelligent human. But the cutting-edge breakthroughs in AI have already started to go beyond the realms of research and have gradually seeped into the actual process of game development. For instance, contemporary researches are using the kind of AI that can learn to design the entire game benefiting from the method called procedural generation. This concept became common with the launch of the survival game No Man's Sky in 2016 where all parts of the galaxy are created through procedural generation. 

    With the inception of procedural generation in gaming, it is crystal clear that the gaming industry has a journey worth embarking to reach the summit of entertainment. What is unmistakable at this point is that game developers across the world are even more enthusiastic in presenting a more realistic and interactive sensation to the art of gameplay. These remarkable transformations in the gaming industry, have the potential to lead the audience to have fun on a whole new level.