Why shooter games will be an early adopter of AI agents
Inworld’s recently published Future of Game Development with AI NPCs report found that game devs believe Shooter games will be among the most likely genres to feature AI agents in the future. In fact, the genre tied with RPGs for second as the most likely video game genres to benefit from the innovative gameplay and mechanics that AI agents enable.
So, what do game devs have in mind when integrating AI gameplay via generative AI NPCs or other kinds of AI agents? Devs working on these games are generally more interested in leveraging AI to solve existing pain points than on enabling conversation. Here are some of the use cases they’re excited about:
- Improving retention via onboarding characters for better player experiences and companions or leveraging AI teammates who can help new players.
- Adding novel gameplay mechanics to Shooter games like trust-based progression mechanics, psychological warfare, advanced interrogations, and more.
- Deploying AI-powered merchants that can help players sort through weapon options – without having to watch a 20-minute explainer video on YouTube.
- Using AI players in multiplayer games to cut down on wait times in lobbies.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the ways AI agents will be used in Shooter games to support innovative gameplay, improve immersion, drive retention, and increase revenue.
How AI NPCs will enhance onboarding
Wondering how more advanced game AI will enhance Shooter game onboarding? Here are some of the ways game devs could use them to improve the new player experience and gameplay.
Tutorials & new player experiences
Onboarding and new player retention are some of the key challenges many games in these genres face – and retaining new players is becoming increasingly difficult. Activision Blizzard reported in 2023 that Call of Duty and Overwatch 2, two of their biggest franchises, were losing tens of millions of monthly active users (MAUs) a quarter. While releasing new content will often see increases in active player numbers, Shooter games are increasingly focused on what they can do to improve MAUs between costly new releases and expansion packs.
However, addressing the needs of players new to these popular franchises can be a difficult balancing act. The majority of the player base of franchises like Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Fortnite have been playing for years and don’t want complex, boring tutorials when they start a new release or season. Experienced players are also able to learn game mechanics and skills more quickly in new game worlds and will become frustrated by any tutorials that they find too basic.
In contrast, less experienced players can quickly get overwhelmed by all the new skills to learn. That leads to frustration and turnover. Generative AI-powered agents acting as onboarding NPCs can help developers find the right balance by creating onboarding experiences better customized to each player – ensuring that onboarding drives greater retention for all players.
Games can add AI companions in tutorials or new player experiences as fun and helpful guides that are on call to answer questions, give tips, and serve as early opponents to help new players hone their skills via Knowledge and Goals and Actions features like in Inworld’s AI Engine. Those same companions can adapt to more advanced players by giving them more autonomy to learn alone, while answering questions, if needed.
By providing controlled environments to learn game mechanics and test out skills, AI companions offer players opportunities to learn advanced techniques, improve aim, and strategize more effectively in a less stressful environment. This training ground allows beginners to build confidence and competence before venturing into matches against human-skilled opponents, easing the learning curve, improving retention, and fostering a more inclusive gaming community.
AI teammates for new players
While studios try to optimize matchmaking to ensure new players aren’t killed repeatedly in online matches, a quick look at how often new players complain about matchmaking on Reddit proves that no matchmaking system is perfect. Skill-based matchmaking, engagement-optimized matchmaking, and retention-based matchmaking, all have their downsides.
Many new players have stories about being matched with people at vastly different skill levels or even being hazed for being new to the game. So, why do newbies get matched outside their skill levels despite efforts to match them more effectively? Sometimes there just aren’t enough new players online at that moment to match the player’s skill level. In the future, AI players powered by generative AI agents will be able to help.
Generative AI agents will simulate human opponents and tailor their actions to the skill level of the players in the match. Unlike current AI players, their gameplay will be more unpredictable and challenging. This will create that sweet spot between challenge and ease known to induce flow in video games and drive player retention. AI players can also act as teammates or companions to new players and help cover them as they learn the game, ensuring they don’t die too quickly.
How generative AI will impact gameplay
AI agents can introduce innovative gameplay mechanics and modes, enriching the gaming experience and expanding the game's appeal and longevity. While the possibilities of how they can be leveraged are endless, here are a few of the ways AI NPCs could be incorporated to generate novel gameplay.
Trust-based progression mechanics
The storyline of many Shooter games revolve around trust. Whether players are trying to gain the trust of their NPC teammates or convince an enemy to divulge information, trust is something that needs to be earned.
Relationship progression mechanics via Inworld’s Relationship feature are a perfect fit for Shooter games. Trust-based progression mechanics enable gameplay that’s focused on convincing a character to trust you so you can get access to intel, locked down locations, additional resources, or tactical support.
Ubisoft recently showcased the capacity for trust-based progression mechanics in their NEO NPCs demo. One gameplay scenario in their demo had players trying to gain the trust of Bloom, a fellow member of the resistance, to unlock new missions and get his support on future missions.
AI tactical directors & scouts
Combat-focused games could implement AI NPCs as scout sent out ahead of a main force to gather information about the enemy's position, strength, or movements. The NPC could either report back via radio or to the player directly. This would allow for more strategy-focused gameplay.
In a slightly different gameplay scenario, the scout could be watching a drone feed with heatmaps to guide the player through a battlefield or building via moment-to-moment updates of enemy locations or building and terrain layouts.
Making an espionage-focused Shooter? The NPC could be required to guide the player through a high-security building without getting discovered. They could access the building's security camera network and the player’s location and could talk to the player as they try to direct them on how to get out unnoticed.
AI tactical directors and scouts use features like Goals and Actions, NPC-to-NPC interactions, environmental awareness, and more.
Dynamic mission recommendations
AI NPCs who can understand player interests, skill levels, and playing styles are able to make dynamic mission recommendations via our Goal and Actions features based on what kinds of missions the player would be more likely to enjoy.
For example, if a player enjoyed a particular mission, their NPC commander could recommend they complete a mission with similar play styles or tactical considerations next.
Personalized recommendations and dynamic game progression improve initial player engagement and increase retention by ensuring that players enjoy their initial experiences in a game. It also helps create player-centric narratives that enhance player agency, something that’s been linked with flow and playtime.
Enhanced narrative campaigns
There’s more to Shooters than just moving from one battle to the next.
Franchises like Halo have great storylines and iconic characters like Cortana and Master Chief. In fact, Cortana was one of the most requested AI NPCs during our Future of NPCs report which surveyed 1,000 gamers.
Call of Duty games also have narrative-driven single player campaign modes that allow gamers to immerse themselves in compelling stories and gain insights into beloved characters like Captain John Price and Ghost.
AI NPCs offer more opportunities for character development as well as enabling contextual interactions that move the game story forward. Even better, developers can enhance narrative campaigns in a player-centric way. Gamers who enjoy narrative elements in these types of games can engage with NPCs. This gives studios the ability to make games that respond to the varied interests of their diverse player bases.
AI companions
Some of the best Shooters have included AI companions or AI teammates in their single player mode – including games like Metal Gear Solid 5, Left 4 Dead 2, and Rainbow Six Vegas 2. More recently, games like Ready or Not have seen success with their squad-based single player mode.
These team-based games combine the gameplay of multiplayer games with the freedom to play solo. Generative AI-powered teammates will add more realism, comradery, and tactical consideration to solo campaigns as players will be required to coordinate the actions of their companion or team.
With AI agents, this could even be done via voice commands, similar to how NetEase’s Cygnus Enterprises set up the companion character in their RPG to respond to voice commands. Their companion can be asked via voice commands to complete tasks like collecting resources or providing cover when the player is under attack. In that way, it would replicate how multiplayer teams coordinate their actions over voice chat.
AI NPC teammates could also introduce new types of gameplay as players could be required to gain their squad member’s trust, convince a squad member to join the player on a mission, and more.
Realistic interrogations
Interrogations are a crucial element in many Shooter games. Who can forget the brutal interrogation of The Butcher in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare? More realistic interrogation gameplay can be powered by Inworld’s AI Engine.
In these novel gameplay scenarios, powered by Inworld’s Goals and Actions feature, players would be able to dynamically interrogate NPCs – and only get the information they need if they ask the right questions, trick the NPC, or earn the NPC’s trust.
This kind of gameplay was recently demoed in Covert Protocol, a collaboration between NVIDIA and Inworld. Players were tasked with finding out the room number of a CEO from the NPCs they met in a hotel lobby. They had to talk to the NPCs, learn about what gets them to open up, and strategically ask the right questions to win.
Psychological warfare
In an Arma 3-style game, AI NPCs could allow players to unsettle or provoke their opponents in combat scenarios. Imagine if landing the right insult or threat could throw an enemy off their game or intimidate them. Based on the interaction, the enemy may get furious and charge the player, fire, surrender, or otherwise make mistakes that players can take advantage of.
That wouldn’t just lead to more interesting, engaging, and creative gameplay, it could also lead to additional gameplay modes and increase replayability. Undertale famously gave players the choice of Pacifist (sparing everyone), Natural (some kills), or Genocide (kill everything) modes. Imagine Shooter gameplay modes or strategies where the player’s goal is to get as many enemies as possible to surrender through intimidation alone.
Dynamic combat scenarios
AI NPCs powered by generative AI can introduce dynamic combat scenarios in combat games, enhancing unpredictability and challenge without the need for human opponents. Unlike static scripted encounters, AI opponents in these games can adapt to player actions and strategies, providing evolving challenges that keep players engaged and motivated.
The adaptive nature of AI agents ensures that each gaming session feels fresh and exciting, encouraging players to experiment with different tactics and approaches.
In first-person shooter games like Battlefield 2042 or Counter-Strike, AI enemies can adapt their tactics, flank players, and coordinate attacks, creating intense and dynamic firefight scenarios that keep players on their toes.
How AI agents will transform matchmaking
AI agents are an emerging generative AI technology that has the potential to completely revolutionize AI players in multiplayer games. The findings of experiments like the Stanford AI Village and Google’s Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent (SIMA) show early promise and progress – and so does the work we’re doing ourselves. In this section, we look at how AI players could someday transform Shooter games.
For a more in-depth look at the potential of AI players in video games, see our longer article on it.
Reduced wait times
When it comes to creating optimal matches, there are factors outside just skills that impact the quality of the match. For example, despite continued improvements in networking solutions for online multiplayer games, latency and region still impact match quality and player performance considerably.
Call of Duty recently published a paper explaining how they balance matchmaking search time with player ping to reduce churn from players waiting in lobbies – without matching them into games that won’t be enjoyable. Call of Duty’s algorithm also weighs things like time to match, skills/performance, platform, whether voice chat is enabled or disabled, input device, recent maps/modes, and playlist diversity, as explained in a blog post on their matchmaking process.
All of those factors add complexity and time to matchmaking – even in games with large player bases, especially if an average game takes longer. This is especially complicated during off-peak times, regions with lower player counts, or in larger-scale games with extensive maps and player counts.
But long matchmaking times can lead to churn where players either give up on waiting for the next game or quit playing the game entirely. Generative AI agents that players enjoy playing against and who can even engage in conversation and coordinate attacks over voice chat will decrease wait times for matchmaking. This scalability will ensure that games remain accessible and enjoyable for players worldwide, contributing to long-term player engagement and retention.
More balanced matches
A 2024 study analyzing over 1.5 million matches in multiplayer competitive games found that the greater the difference in the skill gap between matched players, the higher the churn rate for those players. The problem is that getting the optimal match between players waiting in the lobby can be difficult, and waiting for the perfect match affects wait times, yet another factor that increases churn.
In the future, generative AI-powered players will be able to fill gaps in player populations and ensure balanced matches without the drawback of the usual unimaginative gameplay that current AI players show. By supplementing human players with generative AI-controlled agents, developers can ensure fairer and more competitive gaming experiences – which will improve player satisfaction and retention.
This would be particularly helpful in less-populated regions or during off-peak hours, where generative AI opponents could potentially be used to help maintain active player engagement and provide a more immersive gaming experience.
How AI Engines will improve player experience
The AI-powered gameplay experiences that generative AI will make possible won’t just offer entirely novel gameplay, they will also drive increases in key metrics by improving the player experience.
Enhanced single-player
Because generative AI will allow AI NPCs within games to simulate more realistic and unpredictable behaviors and interactions and allow for more innovative gameplay experiences, it will greatly enrich single-player campaigns in Shooters.
When playing solo, players will be able to engage with AI allies and enemies who have the ability to engage in dynamic tactics and interactions, adding depth and excitement to the gameplay.
Reduced toxicity
Online multiplayer Shooter games repeatedly top lists of the most toxic online gaming communities.
According to a 2023 report by Bryter, 65% of women gamers have experienced toxicity from male gamers. Because of that, women gamers often avoid online multiplayer games because of the harassment they experience when they play them. Of those, 39% chose to leave the match or lobby and 24% chose to leave the game completely when they experienced toxicity. In fact, 28% of women said they wanted to play more multiplayer games but were put off by the toxicity.
Other groups also report experiencing toxicity online, especially gamers from minority groups and young gamers. That doesn’t just affect retention, according to a 2023 study on toxicity in gaming spaces, but it also has a big impact on monetization. Around 24% of players reported deciding not to spend money in-game because of other players’ behavior and another study published in 2023 found that 54% of players aged 13 to 25 spent more on non-toxic games versus toxic ones.
Improved player retention
Generative AI-powered NPCs can play a pivotal role in improving player retention by ensuring consistent matchmaking, reducing wait times, offering more compelling solo play, introducing innovative gameplay mechanics, and allowing for an option to combat toxicity.
Our 2023 Future of NPC report found that 78% of gamers would spend more time playing a game with AI NPCs. AI NPCs are also expected to improve franchise loyalty. 77% of gamers said they would be more interested in buying an expansion pack with AI NPCs, and 72% of gamers said they would be more likely to buy a sequel to a game if it included AI NPCs.
How AI Engines will improve monetization
One of the biggest opportunities for leveraging AI in these genres is to boost revenue. Here are a few ways that gaming companies will be able to do that.
In-game store
One of the challenges with in-game purchases in large combat franchises is that the options and choices are sometimes complicated. In fact, there are hundreds of hours of YouTube videos parsing the ins and outs of different weapons or skins for certain popular games. AI NPCs can act as on-demand merchants to answer questions about different weapons – and then even show the player how to use them via Goals and Action features.
In-game purchases and microtransactions are becoming increasingly important in games – having even outstripped game purchases as a source of revenue. What’s more, the CEO of Electronic Arts, Andrew Wilson, recently stated that AI has the potential to increase revenue from microtransactions by 10% to 20%. AI NPC merchants will likely play a pivotal role in increasing those numbers.
AI NPC merchants can also suggest other options based on things the player says and the player’s gameplay preferences, collect data on what kinds of DLCs players want so studios can better optimize their monetization strategies, and even notify players of discounts or special offers.
New monetization opportunities
Generative AI-powered NPCs can also offer enhanced monetization opportunities. Developers can leverage AI NPCs to introduce additional content via in-game purchases, expansions, or subscription models. For example, games can offer AI-driven missions, challenges, or customization options as premium content.
Developers might also offer advanced AI teammates or the ability to chat with NPCs as an in-game purchase or subscription. Or they might allow players to customize AI companions or teammates, something possible via features like Inworld’s Studio API.
This would allow developers to maximize revenue streams while offering players new and exciting ways to engage with their favorite games.
The future of Shooter games
These are just a few hints at what the future of Shooter games might look like. Expect game devs to come up with even more ways to integrate AI-powered NPCs and agents powered by AI Engines like Inworld’s within these genres to create novel kinds of gameplay.