The Missing AI Gaming Revolution: Why AI Hasn't Transformed Gameplay Experiences
By
pavel_lishin
Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
Summary
The article explores why AI hasn't led to significant new game experiences despite its widespread adoption in game development. The author examines the current state of AI in gaming, noting that while AI tools are used extensively in development (for assets, code, testing), there haven't been breakthrough AI-native games that fundamentally change gameplay. The piece discusses potential reasons including technical limitations, cost, player expectations, and the challenge of creating truly emergent gameplay. It contrasts the current situation with past technological revolutions in gaming and speculates about future possibilities for AI-driven games.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledHere's a puzzle — back in 2021, when the new AI era was just kicking off, it seemed obvious (to me at least) that it would lead to new kinds of games and radically new forms of gameplay.
Clearly, AI is having a huge impact on how games are developed (like it has for all software), but there haven't been any significant new AI-based game experiences.
Maybe the problem is that we're still in the 'toy' phase of AI gaming — lots of experiments and demos, but nothing that feels like a complete, polished game experience.
The real promise of AI in games isn't just about making development easier or cheaper — it's about creating experiences that couldn't exist without AI.
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