AI Dominates Gamescom: Concerns Arise Over Job Loss and Creative Threats
Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage at Gamescom, one of the gaming industry’s largest fairs, showcasing its potential to revolutionize game development. However, the industry is cautious about the implications for job security and the future of artistic creations.
Julien Millet, an AI engineer and founder of United Bits Game studio, described AI as a turning point in the industry. Developers can utilize AI for various tasks, such as generating storylines, coding games, and creating animations. It allows for the automatic generation of non-playable characters, images, code, and game scenarios. Additionally, AI can produce instant illustrations from text, aiding producers to convey their vision more effectively.
While AI presents exciting opportunities, there are concerns about the repercussions it may have on certain professions. Concept artists, who envision the video game world before its digital creation, could potentially face job losses as AI-generated images start to gain prominence. Millet expressed his worry for those roles amidst the rise of AI in game development.
Despite these concerns, Gamescom remains a platform for studios to showcase their latest creations to an enthusiastic audience of tens of thousands of gamers. This year’s event featured several games prominently employing AI. Club Koala from Play for Fun, a Singaporean studio, allows players to create personalized paradise islands with unique characters generated by AI. Play for Fun CEO Fang Han stated that AI has become an integral part of everyday life, and it has immense potential to elevate the gaming industry.
Ivy Juice Games, based in Berlin, also incorporates AI in its game creation process. The studio utilizes AI to generate lines of text to enhance storytelling within their games. They have also adopted AI to generate code, offering developers a fresh approach to building games. According to Linus Gaertig from Ivy Juice Games, AI makes games more unpredictable, contributing to a more immersive experience.
Sarah Brin from Kythera AI emphasized the impact of AI on character movements, stating that it adds realism to the gameplay. Kythera AI uses AI technology to generate character movements and create more immersive gaming experiences.
Nvidia, a leading US chipmaker, showcased ACE, a software designed to assist developers in creating intelligent in-game characters using AI. Their promotional video depicted a player engaging in conversation with a virtual ramen noodle chef in a sci-fi bar, highlighting AI’s potential for realistic interactions within games.
However, the use of AI in creating expansive virtual worlds raises concerns about intellectual property rights. Claims may arise regarding the original images used to produce these virtual environments. Brin advises caution, particularly for major publishers, as the use of generative AI could potentially infringe on copyright.
Brin’s company, Kythera AI, has chosen not to train its AI on open databases to avoid any legal vulnerabilities. This decision aligns with recent legal actions taken by US artists against AI models that utilized images sourced from the internet.
While AI’s dominance at Gamescom signals a groundbreaking shift in the gaming industry, it also raises valid concerns regarding job security and the potential impact on creative professions like concept artists. As developers continue to explore AI’s capabilities and limitations, finding a balance between innovation and preserving artistic integrity will be crucial for the future of game development.
