In a recent discussion featured in the latest issue of Edge Magazine (as reported by GamesRadar+), two prominent figures in the gaming industry, Jade Raymond, the head of Haven Studios, and Raph Koster, co-director of Everquest 2, weighed in on the growing trend of using AI in AAA game development. Both industry veterans expressed their belief that AI’s integration into game development is inevitable, irrespective of public opinion, largely driven by financial considerations and the potential to enhance production processes.
Raymond, who was the former lead producer for Assassin’s Creed, emphasized the profound changes in the development landscape of AAA games. She noted that AAA titles, once created by teams of around 50 people in two years, have evolved to require the efforts of hundreds of individuals over a span of more than a decade. In response to this, Haven Studios is investing in research and development related to generative AI and machine learning. Raymond believes these technologies have the potential to reverse the prevailing trend and unlock more creativity from both developers and players.
Koster echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that economic factors will be the primary driving force behind AI adoption in game development. He acknowledged that while developers and many players may have reservations about AI integration, the financial considerations will likely compel the industry to embrace it. Koster mentioned the unsustainable cost curves of game development as a key factor motivating studios to explore AI solutions.
AI, however, currently has limitations in generating intricate plotlines and is primarily employed for simple character dialogues in games. Raymond expressed optimism that AI technology could evolve in the future, potentially offering benefits to older gamers. She envisioned the emergence of a new genre of mass-market games tailored to the needs of retired gamers. This could include multiplayer games designed for cross-generational play and immersive titles focused on skill development, such as gardening. The prospect of designing games to cater to a mass market of retirees presents an intriguing possibility, one not typically the industry’s focal point.
In the midst of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike, the union recently voted in favor of authorizing a strike under the Interactive Media Agreement, covering voice actors’ work in games. The union’s demands include vocal-stress protection for voice actors, transparency, consent, control, and compensation related to AI usage, along with fair wages. Negotiations have faced challenges, with companies reportedly rejecting the terms. While the union remains committed to its cause, it seeks an agreement without resorting to a strike, if possible.
