Ubisoft and Roblox: AI-Powered Gaming Evolution

Many leading video game studios are now incorporating generative AI to streamline game development. This technology, which can generate new content such as text, images, or music from prompts, is being used to automate routine tasks in game design. This includes generating NPC dialogue and enhancing in-game visuals, thereby accelerating development and freeing human designers to focus on more critical aspects.

Generative AI, a relatively new technology that has both intrigued and concerned the public, is seeing practical application in game development. Here are some notable examples:

1. Blizzard Entertainment: Known for games like Diablo, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft, Blizzard has begun using AI for character renderings. A New York Times report mentioned that Blizzard is using its internal AI tool and has advised against using external AI platforms to protect confidential data. While there’s excitement about AI’s potential in future games, some Blizzard employees have noted the AI’s shortcomings in detecting bugs in tested games.
2. Square Enix: This studio, famous for Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, has been exploring AI for some time. They recently sold several subsidiaries and the Tomb Raider franchise to invest in AI and Web3 games. They’ve also supported AI startup Atlas, which turns text and images into 3D worlds. Square Enix’s AI division showcased an AI-generated update to the 1983 text adventure game, The Portopia Serial Murder Case.
3. Roblox: This online gaming platform has introduced two generative AI tools, Code Assist and Material Generator, to simplify game creation. These tools, still in beta, automate coding tasks and create textures from prompts. Roblox aims to make game creation easier and faster and plans to integrate third-party AI services.
4. Ubisoft: Creator of the Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft launched Ghostwriter, an AI tool for generating NPC dialogue drafts. This tool is part of Ubisoft’s larger goal to enable designers to create customized AI systems using a backend tool named Ernestine.

These examples illustrate how generative AI is transforming the landscape of video game development, enhancing creativity, and streamlining production processes.

source