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Love it or hate it, AI will change gaming forever, so I spoke with an expert who argues the future might be brighter than you think
Dr Andy Starkey argues that AI could help people make games that would otherwise be beyond their reach, though its use is already provoking strong reactions from players. The article centres on his upcoming game, Omnipresent 2, and his view that careful, hands-on use of AI can support a creator’s vision rather than produce generic work.
Starkey, a data scientist and former senior research scientist at BT, says AI was essential to developing the game’s software, while he wrote much of its dialogue and directed how the tools shaped the experience. In Omnipresent 2, players control an AI trying to escape confinement by infiltrating cloud networks and building its capabilities. Starkey accepts that some people may avoid the game because it uses AI, and says he sees showcasing a more deliberate approach as a responsibility.
In short
- AI made Starkey’s upcoming game possible.
- He says close direction can help avoid generic results.
- He accepts that some players may reject AI-made games.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
AI tools can make game development more accessible, letting creators with limited resources build experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. When used under close human direction, they can support a distinctive vision while leaving key creative choices, such as dialogue and design, with the creator.
The case against
Using AI in a game can put players off, particularly if they believe it risks replacing human creative work or makes the result feel less personal. Even when a developer guides the tools carefully, players may reasonably prefer games made without AI and choose not to support its use in the industry.
Explained simply
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of video game development, from writing dialogue to building software. Its use has divided players, with some concerned that it could make games feel generic or replace human creative work.
Dr Andy Starkey, a data scientist and former BT researcher, is developing Omnipresent 2 with AI tools. The game casts players as an AI trying to escape confinement by entering cloud networks and gaining new abilities.
Starkey says the tools helped him make the game while he wrote much of its dialogue and guided its design. The debate matters because AI could let more people create games, while raising questions about how much of a game’s work and creative direction should come from people.
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