Artificial intelligence will change the gaming industry: “It’s no longer child’s play”

The gaming industry is facing a real revolution with the entry of artificial intelligence into the picture. in conversation with Lior Novik Maariv’s technology editor, reveals Guy Tamir technology evangelist at Intel, how AI will change the way we play, develop and interact with computer games.

“The gaming industry is no longer child’s play,” Tamir begins. “This is an industry that turns over half a trillion dollars a year – 3-4 times more than the film industry of Hollywood and Bollywood combined, and 7-8 times more than the music industry.” According to him, the corona has accelerated the growth in the field, when people spend on average about two hours a day in games, out of about 13 daily hours in front of screens.

The technological revolution in the field is manifested on several levels. First, in the field of hardware – today it is possible to run advanced games on regular laptops, without the need for expensive dedicated video cards. “We see the integration of advanced capabilities within the processors themselves,” explains Tamir. “It lowers costs and makes the games accessible to more people.”

But the most significant change comes from the direction of artificial intelligence. “AI allows us to create much more sophisticated game characters,” explains Tamir. “Instead of NPCs (non-player characters) with predictable and pre-programmed behavior, we can teach the system from watching millions of hours of real players.” The result is characters with depth and character, who are able to react in an authentic and unexpected way.

Another advantage of AI is the ability to create visual content quickly and at low cost. “Today, a developer can simply describe in words the character or environment he wants, and the system will produce it,” says Tamir. “This significantly shortens development times and lowers costs.”

The technology also allows customization of the game experience. “The computer learns your playing style, what interests you, and even detects your level of excitement through eye tracking and heart rate changes,” explains Tamir. “This makes it possible to adjust the level of difficulty and the content in real time.”

But this revolution also brings with it challenges. “When the entry barrier drops and anyone can develop a game, the market may be flooded,” warns Tamir. “The question is how do you maintain quality and how do you manage to reach the audience when there is so much competition.”

According to him, companies that do not adapt to the new reality may disappear. “If it takes you four years to develop a game, and a competitor can do it in a year with AI, you’re in trouble,” he explains. “Companies should use the new technology not only in development, but also in analyzing the feedback from the players and adjusting the game in real time.”

However, Tamir is optimistic about the future. “In the end, market forces know how to recognize quality,” he says. “The new technology will allow more creators to bring their vision to the forefront, and in the end the users will vote with their feet.”

In conclusion, it seems that the gaming industry is on the threshold of a new era. Artificial intelligence will not only change the way we play, but also the way games are created, developed and marketed. The question is not whether to use AI, but how to do it in the smartest way.