'The Half-Life 2 of AI': Saber executive thinks the controversial tech will create great games someday — but I’m not so sure
Saber Interactive doubles down on its enthusiasm for AI in game development — but are you sold?
Chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen's abilities have left many humans in the dust, with artificial intelligence even surpassing him. Stockfish, a chess computer, is estimated to be between 3,500 and 4,000 in ELO rating, far outstripping Carlsen's peak rating of 2,882. This disparity begs the question: why do we still gravitate towards human players in a world where AI has established dominance?
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, remains optimistic about the future of generative artificial intelligence in games. In an interview with Eurogamer, he stated that "someone will make something that will change people's minds" about AI, likening it to the "Half-Life 2 of AI." While Willits admits his statement is a "silly example," he believes that a game developed entirely or largely by AI will eventually become too good to pass up, converting skeptics in the process.
However, the author expresses skepticism about Willits' optimism, citing several instances where AI has negatively impacted games and the industry. Examples such as Crimson Desert's generated assets, Resident Evil: Requiem's unintended DLSS 5 makeover, and the AI disclosure of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis showcase the challenges AI brings to game development. The author also highlights the environmental impact and energy consumption of AI models, which only intensifies these issues.
Despite these concerns, Willits' vision of AI revolutionizing games does not seem implausible in theory. However, the author raises doubts about whether AI will truly deliver games as groundbreaking as Half-Life 2, or if it will merely create mistakes and soulless assets. Additionally, the author wonders if gamers are inherently resistant to playing games heavily reliant on AI, preferring the human touch found in traditional chess matches.
Finally, the author asks readers to share their thoughts on the potential of a "Half-Life 2 of AI" in gaming. Would such a game be appealing to players, or would its reliance on AI make it an unwelcome addition to the gaming landscape?
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
