Jam & Tea Studios founders, left to right, Michael Yichao, Carl Kwoh, and J. Aaron Farr sit for photos on Jan. 18, 2024, in Roslyn, Wash. — Lutisha Aubrey Photography via AP
LOS ANGELES: For decades, video games have relied on scripted, stilted interactions with non-player characters to help shepherd gamers in their journeys. But as artificial intelligence (AI) technology improves, game studios are experimenting with generative AI to help build environments, assist game writers in crafting NPC dialogue and lend video games the improvisational spontaneity once reserved for table-top role-playing games.
In the multiplayer game Retail Mage, players help run a magical furniture store and assist customers in hopes of earning a five-star review. As a salesperson – and wizard – they can pick up and examine items or tell the system what they'd like to do with a product, such as deconstruct chairs for parts or tear a page from a book to write a note to a shopper.
