In an interview about the future of gaming with Gamasutra, Unreal Engine 3 Developer, Tim Sweeney, elaborated his thoughts on how in the coming years, we can expect to see major leaps in the evolution of computer AI.

“Trying to simulate human intelligence in the game — realistic character AI and realistic conversations — something like that relies on algorithms that nobody has invented yet,” Sweeney explained, “because nobody knows how to simulate human thought. I expect over the next few decades, really, there’s going to be an incredible innovation there.”

He went on to talk about how software like Siri, which is able to “grasp” complicated inputs by the user and break it down in a way so that it can give an appropriate response.

The idea behind this thought process is intriguing, because although creating an AI that can properly engage in conversation with other humans may lie further in the future, the ways technology is developing can already remarkably improve interactions with NPCs in video games.

My point is, being able to “grasp”, as Sweeney puts it, what players are actually doing, (movement, attack patterns etc) can make for much more realistic NPCs. For instance, players who often look for loot in tiny corners will be ambushed or campers will be charged at with brute force.

Where I personally would love to see this kind of technology be put to use, is in massive world RPGs like Skyrim or stealth games like Deus Ex or Metal Gear Solid, as interacting with other characters isn’t secluded to battle or conversation, but diversions, reputation and decisions. The game itself would be the AI, learning and responding to the gamers approach.

What the future of gaming holds for us is a question that has crossed my mind more often lately. Indie communities are growing stronger, trends are shifting and publishing as we know it is changing entirely. When it is considered what the next generation of hardware will bring to the table, all I can do is look forward to what’s to come.