The Threat of Generative AI
It will be tough not to hear conversations about the rising trend in generative AI in 2024. This is a constant chatter about what will happen to human-made content and the economic inevitability of it. Will generative AI (AI capable of creating content like images or text) replace humans?
Generative AI classifies all software capable of generating content and provides editing and proofreading services. One of the most common concerns in the MMORPG industry relates to robot copy including lore, images, customer service, and gameplay programming. These AI tools pit human copy against AI-generated pieces.
Notably, Generative AI stands out from other tech trends, like cryptocurrency and NFTs, because it has a huge impact on almost every field of human creative work. Machine learning is the next big thing, and it’s here to change how the economy works.
However, the conversation is fundamentally different with MMORPGs. Theoretically, the introduction of generative AI (especially language models such as ChatGPT) to MMOs can change the nature of games entirely. In the future, we would no longer be restricted by limited worlds created by humans; the worlds could be entirely freeform, and each player’s story could be completely different from the others.
Another impact of generative AI is that it would eliminate quest lines and dialog trees. This way, players would no longer be restricted by a game developer’s limited resources and the finite amount of content they can provide. This would result in a truly unique experience for each player.
Likewise, it is possible to create a shared world in the near future with technologies like Convai’s NPC platform. The AI tool can automatically generate not just dialogue but NPCs, animations, and much more.
In addition, what if human players could become automated? There are already bots that can mimic human actions in games like World of Warcraft. If a programmer is diligent, he can get a burner account to grind resources, complete quests, and auction items. No more griefers, no more trolls, instead a perfect game experience exactly as the player wants it.
In the future, AI like ChatGPT could allow players to create their own worlds filled with dynamic, interesting, challenging “players”. Opponents or friends capable of using chat and forming social groups in accordance with their own specifications.