The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has occupied people for years and the gaming industry in particular is affected by developments in this area. For many years, AI has been used to make NPCs, for example, "smarter" so that they pose an even greater challenge to players. Which calculations have to run in the background is not obvious in the games.
Some events in the game are determined purely by chance. An RNG (Random Number Generator) is often used here, which influences certain elements of the game. But there are also events that are linked to certain algorithms and probabilities. If you look into the casino, for example, this is it Online games RTP as an important value. It indicates what percentage of their bets the players get back on average. The programming of the slots ensures that neither the players nor the casino make excessive profits. The RTP is therefore the end result of random events that are subject to an algorithm.
In gambling, the AI is also used as a virtual dealer or opponent in blackjack or poker. Sometimes you can't even tell if you're playing against a real human or a computer. Below we take a look at where this development started and how it will continue in the future.
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The chess computer – the classic among intelligent gaming devices
Chess computers are fascinating, which is probably the most famous of them DeepBlue by IBM, who even beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov. But what is actually meant by plastic and metal? The complex thinking computers are all based on an algorithm. Every year the AI learns more, becomes smarter and more talented. Meanwhile, AI-based NPCs are able to hit people.
In practice, this happens through a combination of heuristic estimation and depth-first search algorithms. The computer tries to find the best moves. Heuristics are simple rules that enable the computer to quickly and efficiently focus on a grouping of moves. With the help of the depth-searching algorithms, the computer examines more extensively which moves are suitable for it.
Unlike many other games, the subject of chance is not represented in the chess computer. He chooses the move with the highest expected value based on his analysis of the current piece positions and the possible moves that follow. In real chess, random moves can sometimes be useful to confuse the opponent. Chess computers are not yet able to do this, random moves are not part of the algorithms.
The game with chance - the RNG in the game
The Random Number Generator (RNG) is an algorithm that generates random numbers. They are used in computer games to generate random results. A good example is this world popular card game poker, which can now also be played online. The RNG is responsible for dealing random cards and thus maintaining fairness at the digital table.
However, random number generators are also responsible for randomly selecting opponents in the video game or triggering certain events. The random number generator is also of the utmost importance in the field of gambling. In order to make really fair results possible in the game, the RNG must not be manipulable from the outside. Whether a player wins or loses is therefore solely dependent on an unchangeable algorithm.
Another topic in gambling is the RTP, which also plays a role in numerous other computer games. It tells you how high the chances of winning are for players. For example, an RTP of 96% on a slot machine means that 96% of the total bets are returned to the players.
A principle that we also know from computer games like Counter Strike or FIFA 23. The popular loot boxes also have an RTP that determines the probability of winning. The higher the RTP, the greater the chances of winning. However, this does not mean that with an RTP of 96%, 96% of all opened boxes actually contain a profit. The "Return to Player" is always visible to all players. A long-term losing streak is quite possible while another player wins three times in a row.
Security in RNG - how fair are random number generators?
The security of RNGs depends primarily on how they are integrated into the game and for what purposes they are used. Modern RNGs are programmed in such a complex way that their algorithm is neither recognizable nor manipulable from the outside. The example of modern online casinos shows that such programming is quite possible. External testing bodies such as eCOGRA regularly check whether machines actually work according to fair algorithms.
The random principle is crucial for all games where random events need to be generated. Security isn't just about external players not being able to see the algorithm. It must also be ensured that the casino has not manipulated the random number generator in its favor and the player has a bad chance of winning.
AI in computer games – what future expectations are realistic?
The success of an AI is primarily based on Background, because artificial intelligence keeps learning. With each game played, the AI expands its knowledge and can respond better to situations in the future. It is an ongoing process that can and will affect the future of computer games.
Machine learning enables the AI to better analyze and beat human opponents. The AI draws its conclusions from previous games, learns about its own mistakes and optimizes itself. This in turn transfers to the behavior of NPCs.
Example: Computer games like GTA V live to a certain extent on NPCs. Computer-generated characters are on all roads and interact more or less with the player. The logic isn't very sophisticated yet. The NPC regularly runs away when the player draws his weapon. But he would not react and defend himself against a shooting player. NPCs in GTA V are not serious opponents because they always behave the same way.
In the future, it is conceivable that the AI will be able to adapt to the gaming behavior of a person. She learns from the player's various actions, which optimizes the behavior of NPCs. Thus, an even more realistic gameplay would be possible, which above all promises more fun for the player in the long term. The immersion experience becomes more realistic when the AI in the form of NPCs is not only programmed once, but continues to learn and develop progressively.
Conclusion: Technical possibilities are becoming more and more sophisticated
It all started with a simple computer game called Pong. The graphics are so simple that today they wouldn't even qualify as a mobile game. Anyone who plays in a digital casino or gambles a computer game today can look forward to a realistic experience. Immersive gameplay plays an important role and will continue to expand in the future. NPC characters become more believable from game to game, learn more about them and are an important stylistic device in the world of computer games. In the future, AI could also be responsible for personalizing the gaming experience. If, for example, slots with a Hollywood theme are primarily played in the casino, the AI uses its learning effect to select precisely such games for the customer. With the permanent further development of possibilities and ever better hardware, we can look forward to huge leaps in the gaming industry.