A.I. For Game Development

Now this is a touchy subject, and it’s important to recognize that already companies have started utilizing AI-generated art in games. In all sincerity and with full transparency, I also use it, but only for specific instances where it can be beneficial. For example, I employ AI for writing, even this blog post that you are currently reading. I type out my notes with all of my spelling and grammar mistakes included, and then I use AI to effectively proofread my writing to ensure clarity and correctness. I go over it once more so it still sounds like me in the words presented. While I could certainly do everything myself, I am currently working solo, and I have a significant amount of material to cover. I had to come to terms with the fact that I needed to stop being overly precious about every single aspect of the creative process. Instead, I focus on acknowledging my strengths and weaknesses and utilize AI to address and elevate my shortcomings. Normally, you would hire someone to help with any situation you find lacking. However, I cannot afford to pay someone properly for their services, and I refuse to compromise by using cheap labour from another country.

I plan to contribute to parts of the project where I feel skilled. I don't currently use AI-generated art in my game development because I can handle most art tasks well. However, I'm thinking about using Cascadeur, an AI animation tool that could improve my workflow, especially for motion-capture cutscenes. This tool might save me time on cleaning up motion capture data. While Cascadeur helps with animation, human input is essential for an excellent final product. This is important for many AI tools; having skilled people involved is key to getting the best results.

I do see a near future where many companies believe they can effectively cut down on man power in favour of AI-generated content to increase their profits, and it will indeed work in the short term. However, this approach will lead to an over-saturation of content that looks alarmingly similar across various platforms. Customers will eventually notice this lack of originality and respond by voting no with their wallets, choosing to support brands that offer more authentic experiences. The companies that will find success in the future will be those that confidently embrace AI tools while never losing sight of the crucial importance of skilled human individuals being at the helm of their operations.