In-game process: which projects about neural networks will attract gamers

When people talk about artificial intelligence in games, they often mean NPCs, that is, heroes-extras with whom players communicate or fight. But sometimes a concept involving neural networks is important for the main plot. Some games present neural networks as antagonists, while others ask philosophical questions: can artificial intelligence really be alive? No matter how the AI is integrated into the plot, it always remains an interesting solution. Especially if the game in which he appears is well-made and well-written. Such releases will be discussed in the Izvestia collection, as well as several innovative solutions where neural networks themselves have become a game.

NieR: Automata

Developers: Platinum Games, QLOC, Virtuos
Release year: 2017

A frame from the game NieR: Automata

Photo: Platinum Games

In science fiction, people often confront machines. However, in NieR: Automata, conflict erupts between androids, aliens and their army of intelligent machines. In this action RPG, players control androids with artificial intelligence created by humans. Their mission is to destroy the mechanical creatures from another world that have taken over the Earth. This is an extremely simplified synopsis — the plot of the game is much deeper and more complex than it seems at first glance. To see the full picture and understand all the nuances, it is better to go through the game several times.

Horizon Series

Developer: Guerrilla Games
Release years: 2017, 2022

A shot from the Horizon game

Photo: Guerrilla Games

An action-adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world. People in it live in small tribes, and huge mechanical beasts roam the wilderness. Without spoilers, we can say that artificial intelligence is the central element of the main plot. Information about AI, the origin of the main character, and the fate of the world is revealed gradually as the game progresses.

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Halo

Developers: Bungie, Ensemble Studios, 343 Industries, Creative Assembly
Release years: 2001-2021

A shot from the game Halo

Photo: Bungie

The legendary Halo series has always included AI characters. The most famous example is Cortana. In the first parts of the franchise, the neural network plays an important, but not a central role, and in Halo 4 the plot is built around the fact that Cortana is faced with a problem called Rampancy, which has a devastating effect on her mind and functions.

The Mass Effect Series

Developer: BioWare
Release years: 2007-2017

A frame from the Mass Effect game

Photo: BioWare

In the universe of Mass Effect games, the creation of artificial intelligence is prohibited: when one of the alien races, the Quarians, violated this prohibition, they lost their home planet. Players encounter their Geth creations throughout the series. The main antagonists are synthetic AI called Reapers. Their goal is to wait for a civilization to reach its peak and then destroy it. This process follows a cycle, and in the original Mass Effect trilogy, it is the turn of all the advanced races of the Milky Way to be wiped off the face of the galaxy.

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Metal Gear Solid Series

Developer: Kojima Productions
Release years: 1987-2018

A shot from the game Metal Gear Solid

Photo: Kojima Productions

In the iconic Metal Gear Solid stealth series, artificial intelligence is not always at the center of the narrative, but AI is of great importance in the overall story arc. In the modern games of the series, the Patriots faction is controlled by artificial intelligence. Like any secret organization, the Patriots operate covertly. However, they actually run the whole of America, controlling the president, the army, and digital information. Ordinary people are unaware of their existence, but those who find out the truth try to fight the "Patriots" and their AI masters.

Detroit: Become Human

Developer: Quantic Dream
Release year: 2018

A shot from the game Detroit: Become Human

Photo: Quantic Dream

There are no fantasy worlds or galactic threats in Detroit: Become Human — the events unfold in the real world, but in the future. In this story, artificial intelligence is presented in the form of androids created to serve people. Constant humiliation and lack of respect from the owners lead to the fact that some androids begin to realize their identity and get out of control. They are trying to fight for equal rights and justice. This divides society into two camps: humans and AI rebels. And how events unfold depends on the decisions that the player makes.

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Portal Series

Developer: Valve Corporation
Release years: 2007, 2011

A frame from the Portal game

Photo: Valve Corporation

Games dedicated to artificial intelligence mostly tell serious stories. One of the exceptions is Portal 2, where the plot is filled with great humor, which is combined with exciting gameplay.

In both the Portal and the Expansion, the player takes on the role of a test subject trapped in an abandoned research facility and forced to solve puzzles to get out. All these crazy experiments are directed by two AI — GLaDOS and Wheatley. Both of these artificial intelligences are incredibly funny. They constantly give out a lot of witty remarks that have long become classic game quotes.

AI Dungeon

Developer: Latitude
Release year: 2025

A frame from the AI Dungeon game

Photo: Latitude

The active development of text-based AI like ChatGPT provides unlimited freedom for text—based games. AI Dungeon is a prime example of such a project. It is a text-based fantasy simulation in which the player uses AI to create worlds and scenarios. There are almost no restrictions here, and there are an infinite number of plot options. In addition, the game has a very active community. The gamer starts by choosing a character or a world, or he can use thousands of scenarios created by other users to immediately immerse himself in the game. You can play AI Dungeon directly in the browser or on your smartphone.

AI Town

Developer: Convex
Release year: 2024

Although the game is technically text-based, it does have graphical elements. AI Town uses language models to simulate a virtual world where characters can interact with players and each other, making decisions based on the player's promptness. Each character has their own profession, personality, and predefined relationships with other characters. The game is an open source project and is available on GitHub, but you don't need an account to play the game - you can just go to the website and play.