In our ongoing series exploring the impact of AI on game development, we’ve been sitting down with Filament team members from various departments to learn more about how this technology is shaping the future of educational games. Today, we’re shifting our focus to the production side of things – this post is based on a conversation we had with Shaina Grade, our Studio Operations Director. Read on to learn all of the ways AI is showing up in our production department now, what Shaina considers when integrating AI tools into our production workflow, and how she envisions AI working in production in the future!
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Current AI Usage in Production
“We’re already incorporating a variety of AI tools into our production workflow to streamline processes, enhance communication, and improve overall efficiency,” Shaina explains. She highlights ChatGPT and ClaudeAI as writing and solution-based tools for her department, particularly in the context of JIRA, our project management software.
“Currently, our production team is using AI to copyedit original content, refine pieces of it, and help them polish client communications, SOWs, and post-mortems,” she says. “By leveraging these AI tools, production is able to revise their writing, ensuring that all communication and documentation is clear, concise, and professional. This not only improves the quality of our output but also helps us to build stronger relationships with our clients.”
Additionally, she points out that AI is proving to be an invaluable asset for problem-solving and data analysis within the production department. “They’re using it as a search engine for JIRA problems and for formula management to make reporting more efficient. By using AI to quickly navigate and resolve issues within JIRA, the team is able to save time and focus on more complex tasks that require human intuition and creativity.”
One of the most exciting applications of AI in production, according to Shaina, is its ability to process and analyze large amounts of data. “AI is exceptionally good at reading and analyzing vast quantities of data. A real-life use case would be to get a massive amount of user feedback and use AI to parse through it to quickly understand what the highest value items are.”
She emphasizes that this is particularly relevant in the context of game development, where user feedback is a critical component in the creation of high-quality educational experiences. “By employing AI to sift through vast quantities of user data, our production team can save time and make data-driven decisions that ultimately lead to better game design.”
Ethical and Other Considerations
As we explore the potential of AI in game development, Shaina points out “It’s crucial to acknowledge that this technology has been a part of the gaming industry for a long time.” She also tells us that “The gaming industry has often been at the forefront of AI integration, often surpassing other industries in terms of its implementation and sophistication. Games like the Age of Empires series, for example, have featured AI opponents for decades.”
However, she also underscores that as AI becomes more advanced and deeply integrated into the game development process, it’s essential to consider the ethical implications that come with its progress. While AI can be an incredibly powerful tool for streamlining workflows, analyzing data, and generating content, it is not without its limitations and drawbacks.
One key concern surrounding AI in game development that came up in our conversation with Shaina is AI’s lack of human empathy and understanding. “AI-generated conclusions and outputs must be validated through conversations with real people and adjusted accordingly,” she stresses. “While AI can process vast amounts of data and generate insights, it lacks the emotional intelligence and contextual awareness that human beings possess.”
She highlights that this is particularly important when creating educational games, where the emotional connection and personal touch can make all the difference in engaging and inspiring learners: “It’s important to strike a balance between leveraging the efficiency and analytical power of AI while ensuring that the human element remains at the core of the game development process.”
The Future of AI in Game Production
Shaina envisions AI becoming an integral part of the production process, streamlining tasks and empowering our teams to work more efficiently and effectively. She tells us “One potential application of AI in the future of game production is its ability to assist in project setup and management. By leveraging AI’s capacity to learn and adapt, tools could be developed to help our producers set up projects more quickly and accurately. This could involve AI analyzing past project data, identifying patterns and best practices, and providing intelligent recommendations for project structure, resource allocation, and timeline planning.”
Moreover, she believes that AI could serve as a valuable teaching tool for production teams: “If AI systems are trained on the intricacies of Microsoft Project and other project management software, they could provide personalized guidance and support to team members, helping them navigate complex tools and processes more easily.”
Looking beyond the production process itself, she also sees AI as having the potential to democratize game development and make it more accessible to a wider range of creators. “Take the example of Roblox, where an AI tool is being developed to help users learn to code,” she says. “As this tool evolves and improves, it could significantly lower the barriers to entry for aspiring game developers, enabling them to create and share their own user-generated content more easily.”
This democratization of game development could lead to a surge in innovative and diverse content. “As more individuals from different backgrounds and skill levels are empowered to bring their ideas to life, we might see a lot more variety in the games being created,” Shaina tells us. “AI-assisted tools could provide intuitive interfaces, intelligent code suggestions, and automated error detection, making coding more approachable for novice developers.”
By fostering a symbiotic relationship between AI and human talent, we can create a future where technology and human ingenuity work hand in hand to create immersive, engaging, and impactful educational gaming experiences. If you’re looking to develop an educational game that harnesses the power of AI, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to learn more about our game development services and how we can help you bring your vision to life!
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