The global gaming industry faced many challenges in 2023, such as major layoffs and budget cuts across studios. However, this also sparked a wave of innovation and efficiency in game development, driven by the adoption of AI and new technological trends. Both the international and Israeli gaming sectors are reshaping game creation with AI and cloud-based tools, democratizing game development and creating new possibilities for the future.
One of the most significant trends in game development is the use of AI, especially generative AI, to create various aspects of games, such as high resolution assets, vast and intricate worlds, game levels, NPC interactions, special effects, and more. AI can help game developers save time, reduce costs, and enhance quality and creativity.
Many startups and game dev-tools leaders are offering new products and services that leverage AI to help game designers create stunning images, textures, and animations using simple text prompts. For example, Adobe FireFly and Autodesk’s Maya new AI Services are some of the tools that use AI to generate realistic and diverse graphics. AI can also assist game developers with coding, testing, and debugging, using tools like GitHub Copilot and the Israeli startup Tabnine, which offer AI code assistants that can write and suggest code based on natural language inputs.
Cloud-based tools enable collaboration and flexibility
Another trend that is shaping game development is the use of cloud-based tools that foster collaboration and the work-from-anywhere need that is very common in the game-dev ecosystem. Cloud-based tools allow game developers to access and share resources, data, and code from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This can improve productivity, scalability, and security, as well as reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs.
Some examples of cloud-based tools that are popular among game developers are Unity and Unreal, which are platforms that enable indie studios and even solo developers to create commercially viable games that look and function well. These platforms allow developers to offer their games more easily across multiple target platforms, while their success-fee licensing models reduce entry barriers, aligning with the trend towards efficiency in game development. These platforms have also invested heavily in fusing AI into their solutions, from navigation to gameplay and asset creation.
The future of game development is bright and diverse
The global gaming industry is undergoing a dynamic period of transformation, as game developers embrace AI and new technological trends to overcome challenges and create new opportunities. The use of AI and cloud-based tools is revolutionizing game development, making it faster, more efficient, and more creative. This also democratizes game development, allowing more people to participate and contribute to the gaming world.
The Israeli gaming sector is also part of this transformation, as it leverages its expertise in AI and software development to create innovative and successful games and tools. Some of the Israeli companies that are leading the way in game development are IncrediBuild, which offers a cloud-based acceleration platform that speeds up game development processes, Moon Active, which is the developer of the popular mobile game Coin Master, and Playtika, which is one of the world’s largest social gaming companies.
The future of game development is bright and diverse, as AI and efficiency trends enable game developers to create more immersive, engaging, and accessible games for a global audience.
