AI can make video games more realistic than TV shows

“Watching TV makes you passive. When you play games, you get involved. You can control how the story unfolds. And after a while, you can have deep conversations with characters in the game,” says Per-Arne Andersen.

He researches artificial intelligence and cybersecurity at the University of Agder.

Andersen has been playing video games since he was a boy. 

Now he and other gamers are waiting for the sixth edition of Grand Theft Auto (GTA). The first edition came out in 1997. GTA VI will be launched on May 26, 2026.

Experts expect the new GTA game to once again revolutionise the gaming world, as the series has done many times before.

Concepts in the gaming world

But before we let Andersen make his predictions, we will let him explain some of the key terms he uses:

NPC (Non-Player Character) is a character in video games. It is controlled by the program, not the player. Such NPCs can be crowds. It can be a shopkeeper, a guard patrolling an area, or a character who gives the player missions or information. NPCs are preprogrammed with a limited range of reactions and responses, much like Siri on an iPhone.

AI-powered NPCs are characters controlled by artificial intelligence. This allows more interaction with shopkeepers or crowds. With AI control, NPCs appear more realistic. Their reactions to what the player does are more varied and realistic.

A simulation or simulating means imitating or recreating an event or slice of reality. 

In the gaming world, this involves various technical solutions designed to mimic real life situations and events. 

Examples include recreating crowds, traffic, and weather conditions in the game. The goal is often for the game world to appear realistic and resemble the reality we know.

Artificial intelligence in video games means that the game evolves more from player input than game programming. AI gives the player an enhanced feeling of shaping the game's storyline and events. Using advanced AI, the game world appears even more realistic and true to life.

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) video game series from Rockstar Games has impressed the gaming world since 1997 with its innovative technology and storytelling.

New technological breakthroughs expected

It's been 12 years since GTA V came out in 2013.

Expectations are high for the next release. The excitement is due to Rockstar Games' extensive use of violence and sex. But it's also because the company is known for being innovative when it comes to storytelling and technology.

According to our expert, the GTA series has so far used fairly traditional and basic AI systems. Both NPC characters and simulation of traffic and events have been based on simple patterns.

He expects technological breakthroughs with GTA VI, or with other games currently in development.

Andersen believes AI technology can help make conversations with in-game characters more natural.

“The NPCs will cooperate more with the player. The characters will have better memory. They can remember previous conversations and events. This will make the game even more realistic,” he says.

The player develops the story

New AI can also help give characters in crowds a more individual feel.

“With new AI, their behaviour can be more personalised. Players can talk to and cooperate with them. This makes video games more realistic than TV series. Inside the game, you're not just a viewer but a participant. You get to influence the development of events and stories,” says Andersen.

With GTA VI, the researcher also expects more advanced systems for natural language processing.

“After a while, you'll be able to have meaningful conversations with characters in the game. More natural language use also leads to better emotional responses from the NPCs. Eventually, everything in the game world will react more in line with the player's actions. We can expect missions and stories that adapt to each individual gamer's playing style,” he says. 

The researcher stresses that he is not sure if GTA VI will feature these innovations.

“My point is that artificial intelligence is capable of contributing this to new video games. And Rockstar Games is a company that has the ability to use AI in this way,” he says.

Games that never end are unprofitable

“Can we envision a future where games never end because AI helps new stories continue as you play?”

“Yes, that's a real possibility. AI technology enables endless content creation. New missions and new stories can be developed, all based on player actions and preferences. That would lead to a game that continually offers new and meaningful experiences, which means the game never ends,” says Andersen.

He doesn't believe that will happen though. He doesn't think the industry is interested. Game developers will want to avoid making games that last forever.

“Game developers make money by continually developing new concepts and new editions of established games. That's why I believe all game developers are interested in creating natural endings for their games. That gives them the opportunity to innovate, create new games and sell more,” says Andersen.

This content is paid for and presented by the University of Agder

This content is created by the University of Agder's communication staff, who use this platform to communicate science and share results from research with the public. The University of Agder is one of more than 80 owners of ScienceNorway.no. Read more here.

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