Generative AI

News about AI services and models, as well as case studies on the use of generative artificial intelligence in video game development.

Campfire has successfully secured $3.95 million for its generative AI engine, Sprites. As reported by Venturebeat, the seed funding round included contributions from Y Combinator, FundersClub, Immad Akhund of Mercury, gaming entrepreneur and investor Juha Paananen, and Chris Ye, the founder of Uken Games. To demonstrate the capabilities of their technology, Campfire is working on its own game, Cozy Friends. This game will feature characters with the ability to "remember previous interactions, retain key information on topics, and exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence, influencing the flow of conversation and ensuring each user has a unique experience"
SAG-AFTRA has advanced in obtaining improved rights for video game actors through a new collaboration with Lightspeed LA. The developer, owned by Tencent, has agreed to the union's Interim Interactive Media Agreement, which provides protections for actors worried about AI applications affecting their voice work. SAG-AFTRA members are presently on strike, largely due to concerns that studios might have actors record lines, then employ AI to alter or generate additional content instead of rehiring the performers.
During a presentation at Devcom, Judy Ehrentraut, the creative content strategist for Red Meat Games, emphasized the significance of ethically training generative AI models and explored various tools that can be employed in game development. Ehrentraut remarked, "AI is the biggest buzzword and it's either hyped as the new way to solve every productivity problem, or it's received with a groan." She noted that both perspectives have merit, as disruptive technologies are not inherently positive or negative. Their impact is largely determined by the manner and ethical framework in which they are implemented
Generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, is opening up numerous avenues in the gaming sector. This year's prominent developer conferences, such as GDC, have been dominated by discussions on leveraging GenAI for generating multiple maps and levels, streamlining development processes, performing quality assurance tasks, and even interacting with players' in-game actions. Major industry players are actively advancing hardware to facilitate GenAI, exemplified by NVIDIA's introduction of the SUPER series GPUs earlier this year. Considering these developments, one can easily envision a future where GenAI significantly influences both game development and gameplay. However, amidst the excitement, there are also legal challenges that need to be resolved before publishers can fully embrace GenAI
FRVR has secured $12.7 million in a funding round spearheaded by Iberis Capital, with Indico Capital Partners and Lince Capital also participating. The company remarked that the "significant investment is a testament to the confidence that FRVR's new and existing investors have in the company's vision and execution." This financing will support the "further development of its AI-powered game creation platform," which the firm claims "has the potential to disrupt the status quo and offer a new level of speed in creation and distribution for both developers and non-developers"
Next month's GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit will feature a prominent AI specialist discussing the 'potentials and pitfalls' of integrating AI tools into the workplace. The event is scheduled for September 18 at the Royal Institution in London, with tickets available for purchase here. Tommy Thompson from AI in Games will share a comprehensive overview of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI. His presentation will cover the use of various AI systems in human resources, highlight potential challenges associated with their adoption in HR processes, and address broader issues relevant to studio-wide implementation, such as intellectual property, copyright concerns, and the evolving regulatory environment
Activision Blizzard has sanctioned the utilization of generative AI tools, including Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, for creating concept art and marketing materials. This information comes from a recent Wired investigation, which cited an internal memo from Michael Vance, Activision's former chief technology officer, who approved the use of these AI tools. Although Vance stepped down from his role in January 2024, he continues to work for Activision as a fellow software engineer. A former employee revealed that the company assured its artists that generative AI would be used exclusively for internal concepts and not for final game assets, asserting that AI would not replace human artists
GiantX, a prominent name in gaming and esports, has taken over AI esports coaching start-up iTero Gaming. Although the exact financial terms remain confidential, the acquisition is described as a "multi-million dollar deal" by the company. Following the acquisition, iTero's founder, Jack J Williams, has been named the head of gaming technology at GiantX. Williams established iTero Gaming in 2022
The SAG-AFTRA National Board has unanimously granted its lead negotiator the authority to initiate an immediate strike to safeguard voice actors' job security amid the rise of generative AI technology in the industry. According to a statement from SAG-AFTRA, which encompasses over 160,000 actors, broadcast journalists, news writers, recording artists, voiceover artists, and other media professionals, a strike would suspend all services covered by the Interactive Media Agreement. The union further articulated that "the strike shall be over all covered services under the Interactive Media Agreement and all SAG-AFTRA members will cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the IMA." Despite ongoing discussions under the Interactive Media Agreement, the union maintains that there remains a significant gap in resolving key terms related to critical AI protections for video game performers
The Edmonton-based startup Artificial Agency has secured $16 million in funding for its "AI-powered behavior engine." The financing round saw contributions from Radical Ventures, Toyota Ventures, Flying Fish, Kaya, BDC Deep Tech, and Tirta Ventures. After operating in stealth mode for a year, the company has announced its emergence, stating that it is collaborating closely with several notable AAA studios. The behavior engine is projected to be available to all studios by 2025
Microsoft has given up its non-voting observer position on OpenAI’s board. Keith Dolliver, Microsoft's deputy general counsel, is said to have communicated to OpenAI earlier this week, indicating that Microsoft's presence on the newly-established board was "no longer necessary" because of the "significant progress" OpenAI has achieved. Microsoft took on a non-voting role in November following the temporary ousting and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman
The creative industry is currently contending with the implications of generative AI technology. The recent advancements in the ability of computer algorithms to produce imagery, audio, and text mark a significant transformation. This development not only challenges the philosophical notion of creativity, traditionally seen as a unique human trait, but also introduces new opportunities for productivity. However, it raises substantial concerns about the viability of creative careers and businesses. As debates intensify, many individuals remain uncertain about which stance to adopt, balancing both optimism and apprehension towards this emerging technology
Nintendo acknowledges that generative AI is a prominent topic and could spur technological advancements, but the company intends to provide a distinct value that isn't solely reliant on technology. During a recent Q&A session with investors, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa expressed caution about ongoing intellectual property issues related to AI. He emphasized his belief in the company's extensive experience in crafting top-notch gaming experiences. "AI-like technology has long been a part of controlling enemy character movements in the gaming industry," Furukawa noted, as translated by Tweak Town, highlighting the long-standing relationship between game development and AI technology
Two innovations that are poised to transform game creation and gameplay are cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The cloud, which is not a new technology, has seen entire firms like Improbable emerge to assist developers in ambitious projects by shifting the processing load from gaming hardware to large-scale server farms. Microsoft has also delved into this area; for instance, some AI companions in Titanfall were managed by Azure servers as early as 2014. On the other hand, AI has been making waves in the news due to bold assertions about its potential
Bitmagic, a generative AI platform, secured $4 million in seed funding in a round spearheaded by Korea Investment Partners. The company also introduced its platform on Steam Playtest, allowing users to develop 3D games using text and speech commands. Additional investors in this round include Supercell, Sisu Game Ventures, and several angel investors such as Zak Phelps, former senior director of product for Fortnite Creative, and Maarten de Koning, partner at Digital Development Management
Roblox is actively developing technology to allow users to generate characters and objects via "4D generative AI". According to a recent blog update, this new AI will emphasize interactivity in the creation of people, objects, and environments. These innovative tools aim to enhance the dynamism of 3D objects by utilizing generative AI text or voice prompts, such as creating a drivable race car
For King, the potential of AI to enhance and accelerate game development is not a novel concept. The creator of Candy Crush has been leveraging and exploring machine learning and AI technology for over five years, predating its acquisition of the Swedish AI software company Peltarion in 2022. King's AI Labs, a substantial division managed by Sahar Asadi, has already integrated AI tools into its workflow, specifically in games like Candy Crush. One such tool has significantly influenced the development process of the popular mobile game
Artificial intelligence has permeated nearly every sector, including the gaming industry. The advent of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney might overshadow the fact that AI has been shaping development processes since at least the 1980s. Tommy Thompson, director of the consultancy AI and Games, stated during a panel in the GI Sprint series about accelerating game development that there is a widespread belief that AI is a novel concept in the gaming sector. Contrary to this perception, the idea that AI is threatening jobs only now is inaccurate. Thompson, who collaborates with developers to incorporate AI into their development processes, has observed this "silent revolution" since the late 2000s when machine learning started being integrated into workflows. AI, a branch of computer science with origins in the 1950s, has been benefiting the gaming industry for decades
Astrocade AI has secured $12 million in seed funding. This capital injection will support the development of its generative AI social gaming platform, now in closed alpha, allowing users to create and modify games. The investment came from AME Cloud Ventures, NVIDIA Ventures, and the Venture Reality Fund
The use of artificial intelligence in game development continues to cause heated debate. This time, Champions TCG studio participated in them. She stated that the artwork for her collectible NFT card game Champions of Otherworldly was made using neural networks. They were created by an "AI artist" alone, to whom she paid tens of thousands of dollars.