AI acceptable in video game production
In a conversation with YouTuber MrMattyPlays, Brian Fargo, the founder of Xbox studio InXile Entertainment, discussed the ethical implications of AI in video game design. Fargo, who has a career spanning decades in role-playing games, including the creation of classics like The Bard's Tale and Wasteland, expressed concerns about potential job losses and plagiarism in AI use.
Fargo's views on AI in video game design primarily revolve around tools that assist workflows rather than replace creative jobs or generate art directly. He sees ethical AI use as those that speed up development tasks without compromising the creative integrity or employment of developers. Fargo specifically refers to AI plugins that enhance productivity within game development software without producing full gameplay or art autonomously as acceptable applications.
Fargo is cautious about generative AI replacing human roles, particularly given Microsoft’s large investments in AI combined with significant layoffs, which raises concerns about ethical employment practices in the industry. Thus, his view frames ethical AI use as augmentative tools that support developers rather than replace them.
Fargo also predicts that smaller developers may use AI with less regard for public image, potentially impacting established players. He suggests that AI could be used for mundane tasks like data querying and cleaning, and checking punctuation, but cautions against its use for generating art or gameplay.
Interestingly, Fargo proposes that AI could be used for voicing last-minute pickup lines with actor's consent and payment. He compares the vast amount of data in games to the Bible, highlighting the difficulty for humans to memorize it all.
Currently, Fargo is leading the development of the upcoming first-person steampunk RPG, Clockwork Revolution, at InXile Entertainment. AI disclaimers on games on Steam indicate the widespread use of AI in video game development.
Despite his views, Fargo does not seem to have a strong stance on the overall ethics of AI in video game design, leaving the question open for debate. Microsoft, which owns InXile, is investing $80bn in AI at the same time as it cuts jobs, further fueling the debate.
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- Brian Fargo, a pioneer in role-playing games, believes ethical AI in video game design should support developers, enhancing workflows without compromising creative jobs or art.
- Fargo suggests that AI could be utilized for tasks such as data querying, cleaning, and punctuation checks, but warns against its use for generating art or gameplay.
- In the discussion of AI in video game design, Fargo proposes an interesting potential use for AI - voicing last-minute pickup lines with actor's consent and payment.
- AI disclaimers on games on Steam indicate the widespread use of AI in video game development, a phenomenon that has garnered mixed reactions given the ongoing debate around ethical employment practices in the industry.
- Despite his belief in AI as a tool that can assist development tasks, Fargo's views on the overall ethics of AI in video game design seem to be ambiguous, leaving the topic open for further discussion and debate.
