Digital Media Concepts/Generative AI on Game Development

Introduction

Generative AI has been rising in popularity and use in the game industry over the past decades due to its significance in game development and the video game scene. It has been widely used in the industry due to Generative AI’s ability to learn and compile datasets of fed information to results that can provide developers, programmers, & creators directions on what certain changes and methods would yield better, more efficient results for their particular project. AI’s role in the industry has been changing productivity output, pre- and post-launch development strategies for game studios. It has also raised concerns in the industry, as well as among consumers, about the implications and intentions of using certain amounts of AI in the game development process.[1]

Usage of AI in Video Games

The earliest iteration of AI in a video game was Christopher Strachey 1952 “Checkers” a board game that was programed on Ferranti Mark 1, and Sandy Douglas 1952 "OXO," a tic-tac-toe programmed game for the EDSAC computer at Cambridge University. Both pioneers introduced a path in computer science and game programming that involved a systematic algorithm allowing an AI opponent to process moves and direct itself accordingly, but also providing real-time game commentary to the player on a teleprinter.[2] Arthur Samuel, an electrical engineer and professor, in 1949, was working on the IBM Series 700, including developing a specific program for the IBM 701, known as the "Samuel Checkers Program."[3] This machine-learning program (Alpha-beta pruning) records and processes every move from the checkers games to dictate the likelihood of winning or losing moves in a match; this also applies to players going against the AI in the checkers program. Utilizing and improving prior technological advancements also requires analyzing different perspectives and outlooks from a social and economic perspective. In the book, Theory of Games and Economic Behavior, published in 1944 by John von Neumann & Oskar Morgenstern. The book is based on "Game Theory" an interdisciplinary framework that can incorporate mathematical strategies and approaches to complex situations and circumstances. For instance, the book applies concepts like zero-sum game, prisoner’s dilemma, and decision-making strategy models.[4] Game Theory introduced concepts and elements that not only introduce a path for video games, but the importance of how behavior and decisions can influence certain intended or unintended outcomes.

Development of Computing Hardware on AI

While AI was reaching higher recognition and significance in the mid to late 20th century, artificial intelligence was still in the discovery phase due to the limited storage, processing, and computing power could handle at the time.[5] Until the development of the first CPU, the Intel 4004, it provided an introduction for technology companies to start investing their resources in creating and improving computer hardware. The first development of the GPU, GeForce 256, rendered video game graphics and opportunities for training AI models (deep learning) that boosted AI research and development of because of the hardware improved memory, smoother data processing, and task execution system.[6] In 1985, technology manufacturer Xilinx, developed the first FPGA (field-programmable gate array) that can adjust circuits and programmability for various purposes that have a significant importance in computing and project development.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Christofferson, Anders; James, Andre; Rowland, Tom; Rey, Imogen (2023-09-14). "How Will Generative AI Change the Video Game Industry?". Bain. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  2. ↑ "First Digital Lit, First Video Game?". eis-blog.soe.ucsc.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  3. ↑ "The games that helped AI evolve | IBM". www.ibm.com. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  4. ↑ "Game Theory Introduction |". 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  5. ↑ "The First Intel Microprocessor - The Chip that Changed Everything". Microchip USA - TRANSPARENCY INNOVATION EFFICIENCY. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  6. ↑ Singh, Vivek (2024-10-11). "Game-Changer: How the World's First GPU Leveled Up Gaming and Ignited the AI Era". NVIDIA Blog. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  7. ↑ "What is a field programmable gate array (FPGA)? | IBM". www.ibm.com. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
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