Gaming has come a long way since the days when kids spent time and hours at the arcade defending their high scores with pals or attempting to set one on an old PC. With home consoles, the possibilities for gaming became limitless. They are more comfortable and convenient to use when gaming and have laid the groundwork for the present gaming industry. Then smartphones arrived, catapulting internet gaming to its current peak.

Developers will not stop inventing, and game firms will not stop adopting future gaming technology such as Web3, Blockchain, virtual reality, and AI to improve the level of service they provide to millions of gamers worldwide. According to various sources, gamers spent billions of dollars on mobile games in past years, which is sufficient evidence that players adore the modern amusement these titles offer, and especially today, this trend is getting even better.

In this post, we will explore how AI keeps gamers entertained with unique experiences such as AI companions. These AI gaming companions have advanced to the point where they can now provide players with more than simply entertainment or in-game help. More emotionally intelligent, these virtual characters are meant to be able to interpret and react to a player’s choices and actions in various ways.

When Inworld AI polled a thousand players in 2023, the results showed that 69% of them wanted AI companions in their games. Going by this data, it would not be presumptuous to say that AI companions are popular among gamers.

So follow through as we take you through 4 gaming AI companions and how they create empathy.

Cyberpunk 2077

The CD Projekt Red Franchise has not stopped entertaining its fans with iconic games since the Witcher series. It released Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 and this particular game comes with unique storylines, realistic animations, and an overall fresh experience for gamers. CD Projekt Red is one of those at the forefront of technology in video games so it’s not surprising that they’ve equipped their latest release with several online technologies, including enlisting the help of AI. So, there are plenty of realistic gadgets and cyber weapons to battle with.

In the game, players can choose from a variety of companions, such as Judy, Panam, Rogue, and Kerry, and you can offer them several commands. Judy for instance, is a widely loved companion. Her inability to remain silent in the face of injustice is her greatest weakness, and it always leads to trouble. However, for some, it’s her finest quality. These AI companions move the game from a regular one to an emotionally stirring experience.

Borderlands

This is a science-fiction video game series that features shooters and a massive armament. There are plenty of missions, melees, playthroughs, and character classes that come with special skill sets to keep players entertained throughout the series. The storyline as well is very engaging and all of the action takes place on Pandora, a planet at the edge of the galaxy.

Claptrap is a robot in Borderlands made by Hyperion. It has been designed with an excessively upbeat disposition that brags regularly, but it also exhibits acute loneliness and fear. Despite his funny antics and frequently unpleasant demeanor, Claptrap’s loneliness and desire for friendship make him a fairly endearing character. Players frequently feel protective of Claptrap, perceiving him as more than just comic relief, but as a figure with genuine emotional depth.

Halo

Yet another AI companion that inspires empathy is Cortana from the Halo Series. Halo is a six-game series made by Bungie Studios.

Master Chief gets advice from the artificial intelligence named Cortana. Dr. Catherine Halsey created and programmed Cortana, who then started to think and believe for herself rather than following her creators’ instructions. She becomes John’s friend and reliable ally. Her emotional sensitivity, along with her sacrifice for Master Chief, forges a strong empathetic bond with players.

Fallout

Fallout is a collection of post-apocalyptic role-playing video games. Interplay Entertainment launched the series in 1997. Since 2008, Bethesda Softworks has made and distributed the series.

Finishing a random event in the wasteland lets you get Dogmeat in Fallout. People feel sorry for this character because it stays loyal to players in the game, just like dogs stay loyal to their owners in real life.

AI companions in games are important parts that add feeling and realness to the gaming experience, especially now that virtual reality makes everything more lifelike; they aren’t just helpers or ways to make gameplay better. Players’ actions become more meaningful and deeper because they get more emotionally involved in the game world. The importance of these companions will probably grow as AI gets better, making the difference between player and characterless clear and making the game experience more emotionally powerful.