2024 is shaping up to be a big year for the gaming industry, with the emergence of generative AI as a major trend. The recent CES showcase was filled with announcements and controversies surrounding AI technology in gaming, sparking both excitement and concern among industry insiders and players alike.
One of the biggest announcements came from Nvidia, who unveiled its Ace microservice capable of creating fully voiced AI characters in games. This technology allows for AI non-playable characters to interact with players in a realistic and organic way. However, Nvidia faced backlash over concerns about the training data used for their AI tools, leading to a PR crisis that required clarification from the company.
Another controversial moment at CES was the announcement of an agreement between SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ guild, and Replica Studios, an AI platform for creating digital voices. While the guild claimed that the agreement had been approved by affected members, there was confusion and skepticism among some voice actors about the deal. The ethical implications of using AI to replicate human voices raised questions about the future of voice acting in games.
In addition to these controversies, CES showcased some bizarre uses of AI in gaming. MSI’s AI-powered gaming monitor, which marks enemy locations in games like League of Legends, raised concerns about fair play and cheating in esports. An AI hologram of Mario at the show, sponsored by AARP, added to the surreal atmosphere of CES, while AI Shark, a revamped version of the GameShark cheat tool, made bold claims about a partnership with Nintendo that turned out to be false.
Overall, the rapid succession of AI news at CES highlighted the challenges and ethical dilemmas facing the gaming industry as it embraces generative AI technology. The potential for AI to automate NPC creation and voice replication raises concerns about the loss of human touch and narrative intent in games. As companies rush to implement AI technology, there is a growing fear that art and creativity may be sacrificed for the sake of convenience and profit.
As we look ahead to the future of gaming and AI, it’s clear that the industry must navigate these ethical and practical challenges carefully. The rise of generative AI may offer new possibilities for game development, but it also presents risks and uncertainties that must be addressed. CES served as a reminder that as we embrace AI in gaming, we must not lose sight of the importance of preserving the artistry and humanity that make games meaningful and engaging experiences for players.
