AI company Inworld has spent the last year rather predictably espousing the benefits of AI-powered game development tools.
The company is currently working with the likes of Xbox AND Ubisoft on generative AI tools that can be used to generate branching storylines and automate NPC creation.
Inworld has already talked about how these tools could do this unlock new types of experiences for the players. It's a textbook marketing phrase that's been parroted by the likes of EA AND Hugging Groupbut now Inworld goes one step further.
Speaking directly to developers about how its tools could benefit them, Inworld claims that AI-assisted design and manufacturing practices will help workers go “beyond crunch.”
In an extensive blog post which breaks down a number of Inworld's tools and initiatives, the company has suggested that its creations will ultimately prevent developers from working themselves to the bone.
“AI can open doors to new types of experiences, narratives, and gameplay when AI agents and NPCs are added to games, but it can also be used as a tool to accelerate game development and design,” the blog reads .
“As game development costs skyrocket and the thirst for content grows, developers can leverage AI to streamline production and get games to market faster. We've developed a suite of game design tools that they help with prototyping and writing narrative and content.”
Inworld then looks at a number of AI tools aimed at developers (including Narrative Graph, which was co-developed by Xbox) to demonstrate how much work it can help eliminate as developers attempt to satiate that “thirst for content.” After all, gamers need their Kool Aid.
It says, for example, that an AI writing assistant called Scriptwriter can help developers draft game dialogue by offering “context-sensitive suggestions based on the game's world and characters.”
Alternatively, you could use a tool called Voice Studio to “record voiceovers with AI synthetic voices, providing a cost-effective solution for adding expressive voice acting to games.” Or you could always rely on Mass Character Generator to automate the creation of AI NPCs by generating thousands of unique characters in the engine.
AI-powered workflows and redundancies
There's nothing inherently wrong with suggesting that AI tools could be used to speed up workflows and eliminate menial tasks, allowing developers to focus on more creative endeavors. In fact, studios like it Revolutionary software they have already implemented bespoke AI tools to do exactly that.
However, when major companies like Xbox, EA and Embracer – which have collectively laid off thousands of employees this year – start touting how generative AI will become a key part of manufacturing, eyebrows understandably raise.
It's difficult for developers to listen to these multi-studio conglomerates discuss workflow optimization and cost reduction without thinking about layoffs and diminished job opportunities.
This is why SAG-AFTRA continues to intervene research into better AI protections for voice actors (who we imagine might not relish the prospect of being replaced by synthetic narrators) and some developers remain cautious on how generative AI tools will actually be implemented once the investor-driven hype train enters the station known as reality.