Recent studies indicate that more than 90% of gamers consider interacting with AI-driven non-playable characters to be "enjoyable and rewarding"

Image credit: Meaning Machine

A collaborative study by the University of Bristol and Meaning Machine reveals that gamers have a fondness for engaging with AI-driven non-playable characters (NPCs). The study engaged 68 participants, consisting of 31 males, 31 females, and seven non-binary individuals, who played the murder mystery game Dead Meat. In this game, players interrogated suspects, and results showed that 95% of these participants appreciated the experience, while 97% found it rewarding.

Additionally, the study showed that 75% of participants felt Dead Meat enabled them to "express themselves or make meaningful choices," with these feelings remaining consistent across various types of games assessed in the study.

One prevalent view among players was how the AI-infused NPCs in Dead Meat facilitated personal expression. A participant noted, "I did find it really rewarding, just like making my own questions up for once." Nonetheless, researchers highlighted that such freedom might also lead to feelings of confusion due to a lack of direction.

"The freedom can be very exhilarating at first, and it feels immersive, and it feels cool," commented a player. "And it can also feel overwhelming."

Dr Richard Cole, the study's lead researcher, emphasized how this research contributes to the ongoing debate about AI in gaming, focusing on the players' actual experiences with AI-driven gameplay rather than mere theoretical assumptions.

Thomas Keane, co-founder of Meaning Machine, remarked: "Players kick back at AI that is taking away from creativity. But when AI is used to power totally new types of interactive experience, then it’s a very different story."

Keane touched upon an ongoing controversy surrounding AI in game development. Last year, Eurogamer criticized the game Arc Raiders for utilizing AI to produce voice lines, and actress Jane Perry expressed concerns about AI's impact on game performers.

A comprehensive paper is expected by year's end, featuring a comparable evaluation of user interactions with Meaning Machine’s subsequent release, Blood Will Out. This title, built upon a more sophisticated version of their technology, offers similar insights from a data volume equivalent to the initial study.