GPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer” and since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT the world of generative AI has really taken off. For the past several months, we have been working to build GPT technology into our Tachyon engine, Stardock’s cloud-based metagaming technology that has previously been seen in Ashes of the Singularity, Offworld Trading Company and Star Control: Origins. Thanks to OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Tachyon, we are proud to demonstrate what this technology can do for games.
AI generated civilizations
In the past, Stardock would release new civilizations for $4.99 for 5 as a DLC. Creating a new civilization was a lot of work. Lots of writing and lots of new art and game balance. With Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova, it’s just a matter of entering a description of your civilization and pressing a button:
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And the Drengin are never impressed.
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AI generated quests and challenges
Why stop with AI aliens? Another source of DLC in games has been new quests and related content. With Tachyon, our games, starting with Galactic Civilizations, can just ask for a new quest. Where is gets really crazy that we can ask in the language of the player so the result comes back as a native speaker (or alternatively, as good/bad at it as English).
Sharing
Players can take their custom civilizations and share them with others online. So we expect to see…well you know deep down exactly what we are likely to see.
What about the art?
As mentioned in a previous blog, Stardock has been making space games for 30 years. So we have a fairly extensive library of aliens to train AI image generators on.
The Human future
Ironically, this work has resulted in us putting out the call for even more artists, writers and editors. While on the surface, this may seem counterintuitive, let me walk you through how this works out.
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So the short answer is, we expect to hire more artists and writers and editors in the future.
We’re just starting
AI generation helps us greatly increase content but it won’t make a bad game good. It does, however, make the game a much more personal experience for the player.
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