The Techy Business of Mobile Gaming (infographic)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is as new as gaming, and both have been involved with each other since the beginning. Several of the world’s most popular games feature elements of artificial intelligence. Instances can be found in Pac-Man, Red Dead Redemption 2, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, and so on. Unbeknownst to many, mobile games played a major part in bringing Augmented Reality (AR) to popularity. Today, 81% of American gamers have played using AR at least more than once. With 81% of digital gaming time being spent on mobile apps and engagement with mobile games increasing by 10% annually, it’s safe to say we are witnessing the business of mobile gaming in its prime. In fact, consumer spending on mobile games will reach $90 billion by 2021- mobile gaming has no plans of slowing down.

As Artificial Intelligence grows in advancement, games will feature a wider-scope of AI-generated levels, graphics, open worlds, and games. Today, we see simplified versions of this technology- similar to what is modeled in the aforementioned game titles. These features include Pathfinding, Non-Player Characters (NPCs), Superior Gameplay, and Next Generation In-Game AI. In some cases, chatbots are involved.

Pathfinding artificial intelligence plots the shortest path between two points. This can be seen in-action by playing Pac-Man. NPCs define complex behaviors for “non-player characters.” Think of the crazy actions background characters do in Red Dead Redemption.

Furthermore, games equipped with Superior Gameplay AI can adapt and generate new content for a unique player experience. This is modeled in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. Next Generation In-Game AI has the capability to enhance two things in gameplay: character self-learning and personalization. In other words, this technology allows you to play games with characters that learn and grow just like people do. Next Generation In-Game AI can also personalize games to adapt to what each player likes.

Instances of chatbot artificial intelligence being used in gaming was previously mentioned. Currently used in online games, Ally is a chatbot designed to identify abusive language between players.

Augmented Reality (AR) has its fair share of influence on mobile gaming as well. AR brings a game into the real world, immersifying the user experience. Today, 53% of American gamers play AR games. Pokemon Go is a great example of mobile AR gaming. To date, Pokemon Go has generated over $1.9 billion in revenue. Some of the other top AR games include Jurassic World: Alive and The Walking Dead: Our World. Jurassic World: Alive has earned $20.5 million since release, The Walking Dead: Our World- $6.8 million.

The future of gaming will dive even further into artificial intelligence as gaming drives AI innovation.

Take Microsoft’s Project Malo for example. Malo uses Minecraft to test its AI ability to navigate the world and collaborate. Another example is OpenAI’s Universe Program, which lets self-driving car developers train their AI algorithms by playing Grand Theft Auto. Google’s DeepMind set AlphaStar AI loose in StarCraft II to test its ability to learn with nothing but reinforcement algorithms. AlphaStar is now capable of beating 99.8% of human players.

Greg Brockman, CTO & Co-founder of OpenAI said, “If it takes a human between 12,000 and 20,000 hours of practice to master a certain skill, then the bots through ‘100 human lifetimes of experience every single day’.” As mobile gaming grows, so will the technology used to make it.

By 2021, over 1 in 4 on Earth will be a mobile gamer and consumers will have spent $90 billion on mobile games. To find more information on the explosion of mobile gaming and how technology influences the field, read more below.



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