Inquiry Unit Project  

Molly Jimmerson 10-18-2020

SUBJECT AREA OF INTEREST

A long-term personal passion of mine is playing video games, and often I find
myself wondering how they are developed. I would like to explore further in this passion,
linking it to the use of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, and
the Internet of Things. I would like to learn more about how these different types of
technology impact different types of video games, and where the development of video
games will lead because of these technologies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

When looking at how Artificial Intelligence will change the way individuals will
learn more about video game development, I look at the current role AI plays in video
games. Keith Stuart writes an article explaining the development of AI’s role in games,
and how it will continue to progress (Stuart, 2016.) We see more and more the adding in
of AI to create more variety of choices and experiences for the player, and adding in a
human element to the games that may not have been there ten years ago. Creating a
stronger human connection by using AI is likely the path this industry will continue to
take, and using AI to create a more expensive and immersive experience for the
players.

While AI in video games can certainly be advanced in the present day, it is far
from perfect and nowhere close to being at its most transformative stage. In (Stuart,
2016,) the evolution of gameplay is discussed, and it is revealed that the violent
heart-pounding video games I grew up with are starting to be phased out by more
thought-provoking, sci-fi games. Only through the further development of AI would it be
possible to create immersive, well-received games that could begin to replace the
adrenaline-fueled ones of the past. In short, the human-centered AI would need to be
more human in order to make us feel as though we are playing in real life.
 Interestingly enough, an article by Maria Temming examines the “training” of AI
to make them more human-like. One of the most effective methods of training AI is
through video games. Having the program go through virtual tasks and training allows it
to discover how to do similar problem-solving in the future. (Temming, 2019) This is a
great thing when we look at how AI can assist with real-world situations and how they
can better develop an understanding of those situations. By building smarter AI through
video games, we can make better video games to train the AI with.

Stuart, K. (2016, October 12). Video games where people matter? The strange future of
emotional AI. October 16, 2020,
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/12/video-game-characters-emotional-ai
-developers

Temming, M. (2019, December 06). AI can learn real-world skills by playing video games.
October 16, 2020,
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/ai-can-learn-real-world-skills-playing-video
-games

Extended Reality (XR)

Extended reality has become a very popular and prominent aspect of modern
video games. Currently it is utilized to build a more immersive atmosphere whether
through your phone, tablet, or equipment such as an Oculus. As XR technology
develops, so will the use of XR in games across many different platforms. In an article
by VIAR, they discuss how this technology can be used in most aspects of life, including
education. (VIAR, 2020) The more accessible XR technology is, the more it can be
utilized in a way to make gaming more immersive and interactive.

A current issue with the current XR technology available is that there is so much
of it available all at the same time. With XR being a fairly new addition to the video
game industry, there are so many different products and companies to choose from, all
selling basically the same thing. (VIAR, 2020) The issue with this is that there needs to
be more development conducted in seeing different roles XR technology can play in the
industry. Another initial, and continuing setback is that XR’s popularity was sometimes
over estimated, and in some categories of XR tech, the general public is still adjusting to
and building interest in those available programs.

In my research, I discovered that XR technology is being used to train athletes on

a large scale. (Desk, 2020) The article explains that XR technology may overtake
in-person activity when it comes to sports. This is mostly due to the new rules
surrounding the pandemic, since XR technology allows individuals to properly observe
social distancing and quarantine restrictions. While that is very helpful for now, I do
worry that XR technology may be adapted as a norm over in-person training or
exercise, and could impact how sports look, and the socialization that comes from
playing them.

VIAR (2020, July 10). The Future of Virtual Reality and Video Games & it's Relation to
Education. October 16, 2020 ​https://www.viar360.com/future-virtual-reality-video-games/

Desk, W. (2020, July 07). Extended Reality Gaming And The Future Of Sports
(infographic). October 16, 2020,
https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2020/07/move-over-vr-xr-sports-are-the-future-inf
ographic.html

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things is a tool widely and successfully used in the video game
industry. Many examples such as Pokemon Go, or Zombies Run 2 are huge hits that
can transform video gaming to be fully mobile. (Wallace, 2019) IoT can allow games to
connect to apps on the mobile devices the games are on. Specifically, we see the
health and fitness tracking apps being used in connection with these games, giving IoT
games a way to motivate players and promote exercise and wellness. The likelihood is
that game development will continue to incorporate aspects such as fitness in order to
make a more immersive experience and a healthier consumer.

When discussing the downsides of IoT gaming, Wallace does bring up that while
gaming may be more convenient with IoT technology, it certainly is not more safe when
it comes to cyber security. (Wallace, 2019) Since IoT tech often means signing into a
single account connected to a lot of personal data (i.e a Google account,) it allows more
opportunities for online hackers or predators to access that data. A major inclusion in
this development needs to be security. When exposing players to more situations where
they could be taken advantage of, companies will have to take into mind the precautions
that need to be taken in order to keep an audience.

A way that IoT technology is currently being used outside of video gaming
directly is as an aid to online gambling sites and casinos. (Yum, 2019) In my opinion,
this is not a positive use for this technology. Addictive practices like gambling can be
made very easy and accessible through IoT developments, and the creation of apps in
order to lose and gamble money does not seem like a productive way to utilize that
technology. It is also important to note that individuals who grow up with IoT gambling
tech may view it as normal and be more inclined to utilize it.
 Wallace, F. (2019, January 12). How the Internet of Things is Changing the Gaming
Industry. October 17, 2020,
https://www.headstuff.org/entertainment/gaming/how-the-internet-of-things-is-changing-th
e-gaming-industry/

Yum, M. (2019, February 07). The future of IoT in the video game industry.October 17,
2020,
https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/blog/IoT-Agenda/The-future-of-IoT-in-the-vid
eo-game-industry

Research Conclusions

I find that all of these technologies seem to be closely related to the video game
industry. I think that it will most likely impact future technologies positively, and create a
more useful set of technologies. Creating video games to be more immersive and
entertaining for the player will increase interest in the field and create more buzz around
the field. While there are security risks associated with these new technologies, it opens
up a whole new world of possibilities for adaptive actions through both video games and
these specific technologies.

Personal Learning experiences

I use a lot of these technologies because I play a wide variety of games. I never
considered the technology that goes into it, or how the technologies evolve it, and so
learning about that was very interesting. I do find myself more wary of mobile games
with IoT tech since the security risks are significantly higher. I also find myself wanting
to explore more AI-forward programs to see how advanced it gets. I am excited about
learning more about this technology and I look forward to inquiring about new topics that
may come up along the way.