AI Experiments in Browser Game Development

There is an increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) across a number of sectors, not least, gaming. Browser-based games in particular, are opening up to the world of AI, enabling some new and innovative features to be included to push the game forward. For both developers and players, this presents some exciting potential for the growth and future of online games. Ideas can be more easily transformed into a playable game that's better for all. Some of the top ways that AI helps is in automating specific processes within the games, including automated play testing or bug detection. Let's take a look in more detail.

Generating content

One way that AI is helping with browser games is through the direct creation of the game itself. There are now AI tools that can help generate code for a game based on the user's description of their concept. This means that games can now be created by those who do not necessarily have solid coding knowledge. As such, more creative games can be created. AI can also be used for asset creation. On a more complex level, this means that it can generate sprite sheets, unique sprites and more, all from text prompts which can speed up the creation of the project as a whole. Again, AI can also become a more collaborative partner within the system, helping to brainstorm game ideas, the types of mechanics that can be used, or even the story elements within the game itself. Finally, there's also the possibility of AI creating and modifying assets in real-time. This is dynamism is especially good for fitting the game to a specific player's actions so that they don't get frustrated with the way a game works. It also means that visual variety can be improved, for aesthetic reasons during the game, making the game more personal.

And speaking of getting personal, AI is increasingly used to tailor the experience to the individual. Outside the actual game, it can be used to offer recommendations to players regarding which games to play. The top 10 online casinos use this type of method to, not only, recommend games to players, but also to create and offer personalized promotions, ones that the player will actually use as it matches games they want to play.

Testing the game for quality

Within games it's always important to ensure that there is high quality and that the game works well. This means that games need to be tested, an area that AI can take on. Automated testing means that the AI can simulate hours of gameplay in a tiny amount of time, locating any bugs or glitches that might lead to performance issues. With intelligent bug detection, AI is able to recognize issues rapidly via 'fuzzy matching', which means that it can spot an object even when there are different visual effects, lighting conditions and so on in place. Finally, AI can also do performance analysis. This means that it can look at the player data and behaviour, seeing where the pain points are and where the game becomes too difficult or easy. This can then help everyone have a much better time when playing the game.

Changing the game

As mentioned, AI can help with dynamic gaming. But not only can it add in adaptive game mechanics thanks to its ability to look at, and analyse player data in real time, it can improve the inner workings of the game too. Take non-player characters (NPCs). Previously, these were very basic with not much going on for them other than providing items or information. Now, with AI's help, intelligent NPCs are possible. AI is able to create more realistic and unpredictable NPCs which mean that they react to the player's actions making the game world that much more realistic and alive. Additionally, having a dynamic game world means being able to modify game environments on the go. This means that the gaming experience doesn't become as repetitive to the player and again, increases the overall enjoyment.

Not only does using AI for creating browser games help developers move faster, it means the games are better too. And when the games are more engaging, players stick around for longer.

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