AI in Gaming

AI in Video Games

Games have used AI since the beginning—every enemy that chases you, every NPC that talks to you uses some form of AI. Now, modern AI is opening entirely new possibilities.

Traditional Game AI

NPCs (Non-Player Characters)

Characters that aren't controlled by players but behave intelligently—enemies, allies, shopkeepers, quest-givers.

Pathfinding

How characters navigate game worlds without walking through walls or getting stuck. A* algorithm is the classic approach.

Difficulty Scaling

AI that adjusts challenge based on player skill—making games easier if you're struggling, harder if you're breezing through.

Modern AI in Games

Procedural Generation

• Creating levels, worlds, quests automatically
• Games like Minecraft, No Man's Sky, Spelunky
• Now enhanced with generative AI for more variety

Smarter NPCs

• LLM-powered characters that actually converse
• Dynamic dialogue based on player actions
• Characters with memory and personality

AI Game Development

• Generating 3D assets and textures
• Creating background music dynamically
• Testing games with AI players
• Balancing game difficulty automatically

AI Game Companies

• NVIDIA — DLSS uses AI for better graphics performance
• Ubisoft — Researching AI-driven game narrative
• Inworld AI — NPCs with actual conversations
• Convai — AI characters for games

The Future

• Infinite content — AI-generated quests, stories, worlds
• Living worlds — NPCs with their own lives off-screen
• Personalized games — Experiences tailored to each player
• AI game creation — Describe a game, AI builds it

Concerns

• Job displacement — AI replacing game artists and writers
• Quality — AI content may lack human creativity
• Sameness — Procedural content can feel repetitive