How to use AI for game development

Create character backstory and dialogue

Some generative AI tools allow you to converse with AI-powered NPCs (non-player characters). Have a conversation with a character by creating a GPT trained on who they are. Interact with these GPT characters for an immersive experience that helps flesh out the game’s backstory and gather dialogue in each character’s unique voice.

Achieve the extraordinary with

Copilot in Microsoft 365

Seamlessly tackle your to-dos and track budgets, projects, and calendars with AI-powered features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more.

Learn more

Visualize worlds and characters

It helps to have a visual reference when developing your game. Bring worlds and characters into clear view through AI image generation. Create the art you need by including the following elements in detailed AI prompts:

Character design

When writing your video game character prompt, specify the following details;

• Physical appearance. How tall is your character? What’s their hair color, gender, skin tone, and go-to outfit? State as many physical details as possible to get your intended result.
• Mood. Maybe your character is an optimist or has a sour disposition. Or, they might not have any specific mood at all. Whatever you envision your character’s mood, include it in your prompt.
• Accessories. Are they wielding a sword or donning a mysterious black cape?
• Action/activities. Include an action or activity in your prompt. Is your character mining for gems? If you’re designing a boss battle scene, for example, also describe those characters in depth.

Genre

Every game should follow a genre or theme. Communicate to AI themes like cyberpunk, pixel art, realism, gothic, cartoon, and more! Don’t be afraid to combine multiple to see what you get.

Backdrop

Your video game prompt isn’t complete without a backdrop. Where is your scene taking place? It could be in the forest, deep in the mountains, or at the bottom of the ocean—it’s up to you! Be sure to pick out the weather and time of day as well, if applicable.

Perspective

What is your viewer’s perspective of the scene? Is your character front-facing, or is the scene shot from behind? Input a perspective into your prompt.

Palette

Choosing a color palette sets the mood and tone of your video game. This goes hand-in-hand with your genre. Let’s say you want to create a pixelated game. You could try a limited palette with bright, contrasting colors to conjure a retro aesthetic.

Apply rendering techniques

If you’re new to game development, research rendering techniques (and more) by asking AI the right questions. For example, if you want to create a pixelated-style game, ask, “What are the rendering techniques I can use to achieve a pixel-like appearance in my video game scene?” if you’re inspired by the style of a certain video game, have AI analyze what techniques are used to recreate what you’re looking for. Here are examples of rendering techniques to cite:

• Ray tracing. Simulate the path of light rays to create realistic lighting effects, like reflections, refractions, and shadows.
• Texture mapping. Add details, color, depth, and realism through texture mapping.
• Shading. Create a three-dimensional appearance.
• Radiosity. Calculate how light bounces off surfaces, simulating diffuse light interactions.

Put it all together

Once you have all the details pulled for your game, it’s time to put it all together in a detailed prompt. Here is an example:

• Create a pixel-art video game scene of a dramatic standoff at dusk in a misty pine forest. Frame the hero from behind, showcasing bright orange spiky hair, olive skin, a brown tunic, leather boots, and a green cape. The hero draws a bow aimed at a towering, skeletal figure with glowing red eyes in the distance. Illuminate the scene with vibrant dusk hues and golden-pink light rays filtering through the trees. Enhance it with ray tracing for realistic reflections and shadows. Apply texture mapping to add intricate details to the forest, mist, and characters, including the skeletal figure and the hero’s attire. Use cel shading for bold outlines, light gradients for depth, and radiosity for soft, ambient lighting that interacts with the mist and foliage to emphasize scale and tension.

AI is your companion for all things creative. Get more tips on channeling AI into your everyday creations, from painting to photography.