The gaming industry is poised for a transformative leap forward as technology advances, writes Cassandra Rosenthal, CEO and Co-Founder of Kaleidoco.
Web3 technology presents an array of exciting opportunities for enhanced experiences, interactivity, and creativity – meaning that the gaming landscape could look very different in a few years. This is an inspiring time to be a Founder in the gaming and entertainment space.
AI and creativity in game development
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a trending topic across many sectors as technology such as ChatGPT has altered how many people conduct their daily work. Although learning models such as this cannot replace the nuances of human experience and creativity, they can certainly improve efficiencies throughout many aspects of entertainment development.
AI algorithms can generate procedural content, including landscapes, characters, and quests. Additionally, AI-powered tools can assist in tasks like bug detection, playtesting, and level design, streamlining the development process and improving efficiency. Putting AI to work in this way represents more freedom for developers to focus on higher-level design elements.
By augmenting the capabilities of game developers, AI is supporting a new wave of creativity, enabling the creation of more immersive and innovative gaming experiences. Combined with Machine Learning algorithms that can analyse player behaviour and preferences, new levels of personalised game experiences tailored to individual players are on the horizon.
The changing landscape of gaming UX
AI can have a profound impact on gaming user experience (UX) in terms of enhancing player engagement and immersion. AI algorithms dynamically adapt gameplay difficulty by reacting to player performance, ensuring a personalised and challenging experience. Natural Language Processing (NLP) enables advanced chatbots and voice recognition systems, offering more natural and interactive dialogue options. AI-powered character behaviour can create more realistic and lifelike non-player characters (NPCs), improving player interactions within the game world. AI-driven recommendation systems can suggest personalised content, such as game recommendations, in-game purchases, or tailored game events. By leveraging AI to enhance UX, game developers can create more captivating and responsive gaming experiences than ever before, increasing player satisfaction and retention.
AI is fundamental to new gaming technology such as Augmented Reality (AR). Pioneering games, such as Pokemon Go, paved the way for Mixed-Reality gaming without an expensive AR headset, allowing anyone with a smartphone to participate. Over 90% of smartphones are already AR enabled. As AI-augmented technology and AR progress, there is significant scope for mixed reality games that respond to a player’s real-life environment and behaviour in real-time to offer sophisticated entertainment experiences and an array of new game developers to enter this arena.
Storyliving: the future trend in gaming experiences
Storytelling has always been a core element of gaming, but Web3 technology signals the next stage of entertainment through utilising Mixed Reality, Augmented reality and artificial intelligence for enhanced interactivity – the new concept of ‘Storyliving’.
Storyliving transcends traditional linear narratives and empowers players to become active participants in shaping the game’s storyline by placing them at the centre of the story and allowing them to craft aspects of the narrative. AI algorithms can generate dynamic storylines that adapt based on player choices, creating personalised and evolving narratives.
Furthermore, voice recognition and natural language processing advances enable players to interact with in-game characters through realistic and meaningful conversations, blurring the lines between the virtual and real worlds. By embracing Storyliving, game developers can create deeply engaging and emotionally impactful experiences where players actively participate within the game’s universe.
Why mixed reality experiences will be a core element of the metaverse
The concept of the Metaverse, an interconnected virtual space, is gaining traction, and Mixed Reality experiences will play a crucial role in its realisation. Mixed Reality offers immersive and interactive gaming experiences by merging the virtual and physical worlds. Players can use AR or VR devices to interact with the game world, blurring the boundaries between reality and the virtual environment. From exploring digital overlays in the real world via AR to fully immersive VR gaming experiences, Mixed Reality enhances player immersion and interaction. As the Metaverse evolves, mixed reality will become a core element, enabling social connections, virtual economies, and limitless possibilities for game development.
Gaming as a transition to Web3 technology
Converting Web2 gamers to a Web3 economy is the biggest challenge the industry is currently facing. Yet the gaming industry is at the forefront of embracing this transition for consumers and could pave the way for adoption within other sectors. The recent announcement of Apple’s entry into AR with their Vision Pro headset is potentially a significant signal that a main tech player is embracing the Metaverse, paving the way to the mainstream market.
Web3, powered by blockchain and decentralised systems, promises increased user ownership, transparency, and interoperability. Blockchain technology allows for games to be created outside of a centralised authority, meaning that players gain more control within their gaming experience and game developers more autonomy. With blockchain technology, players can truly own and trade in-game assets, ensuring their value persists beyond individual games and earning money. NFTs enable unique and scarce virtual items that can be bought, sold, and traded on blockchain-based marketplaces.
Web3 technology allows for decentralised gaming platforms, empowering players and fostering a more equitable and inclusive gaming ecosystem. By embracing Web3 technology, gaming is a gateway for consumers to experience the benefits of decentralised systems, paving the way for a more immersive, interconnected, and user-centric future.
In conclusion
The future of gaming holds incredible potential. By harnessing AI’s creative capabilities, offering immersive mixed-reality experiences through advancements in hardware such as the Apple Vision Pro, and embracing decentralised systems, the gaming industry is set to redefine entertainment and lead by example a way for a more interactive, personalised, and connected future. Players can look forward to unprecedented levels of creativity, engagement, and ownership in future gaming experiences.
About the author
Cassandra is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Kaleidoco, an entertainment technology company built for Web3 experiences. Kaleidoco brings the metaverse into the real world by merging the digital into the physical through innovative technologies and building community-based experiences. She also founded Blackacre Entertainment, a development, finance, and production company based in Los Angeles with a focus on putting strategic capital into high-level content development. Some of the partners she’s worked with include JJ Abrams, Paramount Studios, and Amblin Entertainment. Cassandra is the co-inventor of the “augmented displays for multi-surface and three-dimensional live performances” patent, which is the core tech behind the inter-dimensional flashlight and serves as an advisor to Helena, a problem-solving institution that addresses urgent societal issues through for-profit, non-profit, and legislative action.
