During this year's ChinaJoy, AI emerged as a hot topic among gaming companies. On July 25, the mobile game "Naraka: Bladepoint" launched its public beta. NetEase focused on lowering the entry barrier while maintaining the immersive combat experience from its PC version. The game now features AI teammates with real-time voice communication and smart face customization options. "It's a bold prediction that in the future, encountering AI characters that are nearly indistinguishable from real people will become commonplace," remarked Pang Dazhi, Vice President of NetEase.
At ChinaJoy, Youzu Network unveiled its first AI companion product, codenamed "Little You-chan." Meanwhile, Giant Network showcased its game "Space Kill," which introduced a new AI gameplay feature called "AI Reasoning Theater." Renowned IPs from Century Huatong, such as "Legend," "Dragon Nest," "Rainbow Island," and "Don’t Starve," have also integrated AI tools to enhance their offerings.
AI Beyond the Laboratory
"Last year, the forum discussed the potential applications of 'games + AI.' Just a year later, AI has officially transitioned from the lab into practical use, becoming an essential new form of productivity in the industry. For instance, 60,000 AI open-source projects were launched on GitHub in 2023, 3.5 times the number from 2022," said Pang Dazhi. "The gaming industry has long been recognized as an excellent testing ground for AI technology and was among the first to adapt to its impact. At NetEase, we're applying AI across various crucial processes, such as voice generation, artwork creation, motion capture, and model generation to enhance efficiency."
Tencent's Vice President Zhang Wei stated, "AI has become a standard part of game development. Recent industry research indicates that about 80% of respondents believe AI has improved overall project quality and efficiency, with productivity increases of over 20%." Many companies showcased their AI products at ChinaJoy, including Youzu Network’s "Little You-chan," designed to function as a game assistant, helping players with inquiries related to game progression. It can even provide tailored strategies based on individual player needs while offering emotional support through casual conversations.
Century Huatong has also been actively exploring AI applications across various sectors. This includes integrating AI tools in game development processes at Shengqu Games, where well-known franchises like "Legend" and "Dragon Nest" are embracing AI to reduce costs and improve productivity significantly. Additionally, their quality management team has developed an automated AI testing platform capable of providing comprehensive testing solutions for game products and other digital content developers.
At Giant Network's booth, popular mobile games like "Night of the Full Moon" and "Space Kill" drew numerous players. Giant Network highlighted that "Space Kill" continues to refine its core gameplay with frequent updates, boasting over 200 million registered users in China. Its innovative "AI Reasoning Theater" feature offers dynamic narratives crafted entirely by AI, allowing players to embody detectives solving complex scenarios through interactive Q&A.
In discussing Tencent's AI achievements, Zhang Wei noted that Tencent has been a pioneer in systematic AI research since establishing its AI Lab in 2016. The company has introduced a new AI engine that significantly enhances efficiency across various aspects of game development, including 3D graphics, storyline creation, and level design.
Expanding the Scope of AI
Research indicates that currently, 62% of gaming professionals globally are utilizing AI tools in content creation. This trend mirrors a vision once articulated by Bill Gates over 40 years ago, predicting that every household would have a computer—a reality that has indeed become true today. With the enhancement of productivity and efficiency brought by AI, it is anticipated that AI will soon become as indispensable as computers.
Pang Dazhi expressed hope that AI could ultimately assist in addressing real-world issues through the realms of gaming, enabling humanity to focus on higher-quality, more creative endeavors. Currently, AI is also pursuing breakthroughs in emotional intelligence. Huang Minlie, a professor at Tsinghua University, emphasized that the age of artificial general intelligence (AGI) will produce super assistants blending tool-based intelligence and emotional intelligence for richer multi-modal interactions.
Tang Jiayu, co-founder and CEO of Shenshu Technology, showcased applications of multi-modal models in the industry, including the first AI-generated 3D animated short film and efforts in intelligent restoration of cultural artifacts. NetEase has launched its robotic brand "Lingdong," combining self-developed industrial models and AOP technology. The robots have actively participated in projects across various provinces, demonstrating significant capabilities in diverse environments.
Moving forward, NetEase plans to deepen its involvement in specialized fields, embedding AI technology into different applications for further refinement. For instance, the user experience center employs AI image recognition and voice technology to improve accessibility for visually impaired gamers. Additionally, NetEase is committed to supporting hearing-impaired individuals by offering voice recognition tools, enabling them to communicate more effectively.
Century Huatong is also broadening its AI applications beyond gaming, focusing on digital technology to empower the real economy. The company is transitioning its AI Cloud Data Division toward an AI + IDC model, merging operational services with AI computing power to create a more comprehensive operational management platform.
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