Video games have become a major cultural phenomenon, with the industry expected to reach $321 billion by 2026 (PwC). AI is powering this gaming revolution, enabling new levels of scale, realism and interactivity that promise to transform the experience.

From generative top rated Australian pokies worlds that respond to player actions to intelligent NPCs that adapt to your skills, AI is improving how we interact with and play video games. It is also automating game balancing, personalizing content and more, making the experience better for every player.

The first big wave of game AI came with the arcade hit Space Invaders (1978), which incorporated a simple artificial intelligence system that adjusted difficulty levels and created unique enemy movements based on the players’ behavior. Galaxian (1979) introduced advanced AI patterns to maze games, and the popular Pac-Man (1980) added distinct personality traits to the hungry yellow blobs that players battled.

Can AI Make Games More Realistic? A Look at the Technology

In more recent video games, AI has been used to enhance graphics. Tools like NVIDIA’s DLSS (deep learning super sampling) technology use neural networks to automatically upscale textures and images, resulting in sharper, more detailed visuals. The result is that even older titles can look much newer.

But it is not without controversy. Research indicates that AI games can contribute to addictive and sedentary behaviors, and may lead to social isolation and poor school performance (Johnson & Lee, 2022). Additionally, the data that is collected by these games raises questions about privacy and security. Therefore, it is important that educators and parents work together to foster healthy gaming habits and provide guidance around safe and responsible game use for children (Williams, 2022).