Microsoft held its major Surface and AI event on Monday. Although it wasn’t livestreamed, information has emerged regarding Microsoft’s Copilot and the potential for integration into video games.
This could be fantastic if used appropriately. The potential for real-time artificial intelligence integrated into video games is limitless, as demonstrated by game modders who have already integrated AI into Bethesda’s Skyrim, because, of course, it just HAD to be Skyrim.
Real-time AI in video games could significantly enhance the commercial appeal of video games to those who probably shouldn’t be playing them, journalists for instance.
AI could help individuals progress in-game or learn about game mechanics and or functionality, broadening the range of consumers and expanding market reach. However, I have my doubts that real-time AI guidance would actually help paid “professional” reviewers improve their own retardation.
AI in games could also be used to target and remove problematic users. For instance, Activision already uses AI, trained and funded by the Anti-Defamation League, to monitor in-game voice chat in games like Call of Duty.
Microsoft is similarly focused on combating “hate speech” in online video games, treating it as a more severe issue than cheating. Employing real-time AI in games would give these companies even more control over their players, likely resulting in bans for even minor infractions in text or voice chat.
For now, Microsoft is promoting the potential of AI integration into video games as a way to make games more appealing to casual players or those who have virtually zero brain functionality.
Microsoft revealed plans to incorporate Copilot directly into its games, using Minecraft as an example. This feature will allow players to use AI to check if they have the right materials to craft an item.
In this instance, the item was a sword. Microsoft’s Copilot searches the player’s inventory for the required materials and informs them whether they can craft the desired item. The Copilot AI directed a user to open their inventory and eventually announced that the user did not have the necessary items to craft the sword.
While it’s unclear when these features will be added to games like Minecraft or which other games will utilize this capability, it’s evident that Microsoft aims to guide players by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence for in-game tutorials.
Microsoft is really pushing their Copilot AI angle with hardware companies.
The in-built Windows assistant, which requires significant processing power of 40 TOPs, particularly in compact devices like Microsoft Surface and other OEM machines, has essentially forced both AMD and Intel to prioritize integrating Neural Processing Units (NPUs) into their products.
Currently, only one chip in the Windows PC ecosystem meets this requirement: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus, which are capable of 45 TOPS, just slightly above Microsoft’s minimum requirement. Intel’s Lunar Lake is also focused on AI capabilities, producing 45 TOPS on its NPU, with an additional 60 TOPS harnessed from its integrated graphics, but seemingly wont be out until the latter stages of the year.
AMD currently offers mobile Ryzen processors with XDNA AI NPUs, but they only provide a modest 16 TOPs, falling short of Microsoft’s requirement. However, their next generation APUs, known as “Strix Point” and “Strix Halo,” are expected to feature a 45 TOPS NPU along with additional performance from robust integrated graphics.
This implementation of AI in games could potentially make looking up walkthroughs a thing of the past. However, it might also serve as a tactic to further increase the popularity and commercial viability of gaming, even though the hobby has already gone mainstream.
As artificial intelligence continues to expand rapidly, it’s likely to displace people from employment, as demonstrated by startups like “Orange Inc,” which plans to produce AI-driven manga translations at a nearly 90% cost reduction compared to actual translators.
This potential of AI will free Japanese manga from politicized “localization” practices and significantly accelerate the translation process, allowing more manga to be commercialized in overseas markets, a win-win I’d say.
However the prospect for AI integration in video games is certainly not favorable. As explained above it’ll open the floodgates of gaming to be inhabited by even more belligerent imbeciles, who simply opt to play games because it’s trendy, gaming as a whole has already been consumed as a whole.
Game developers are staffed mainly by activists, producing products with an obvious discernable agenda, as revealed by internal emails from both Ubisoft and Activision.
AI implementation in games may have a negative impact on those who are passionate about gaming. Our voice and chat options will be recorded and scrutinized for any perceived wrongthink or ill intent.
Microsoft strongly opposes hate speech of any kind, as does Sony, and companies like Electronic Arts have been known to ban users for seemingly minor infractions, such as saying “shut the fuck up” in-game.
While real-time AI in games may seem impressive on the surface, I sure as shit want to avoid it at all costs.
