蔡浩宇试水AI游戏，行业期待能从“破冰”到“破圈”

Core Insights - The recent hot topic in the gaming industry is the AI-driven game "Whispers from the Star" by Mihayou co-founder Cai Haoyu, which is seen as an experimental exploration of AI-native gaming [1][3] - Unlike traditional games with preset dialogues, this game features AI-driven open dialogues, allowing players to input any content and receive real-time responses from the protagonist, leading to multiple possible endings [3][4] - The game is considered more of a technical demo than a fully developed entertainment product, with feedback indicating a lack of gameplay elements such as puzzles and exploration [4][5] Industry Trends - The exploration of AI in gaming is currently led by startup teams, with established companies like Tencent and Bilibili also venturing into AI game development [3][5] - The development cycle for games typically ranges from 2 to 5 years, suggesting that a truly breakout AI-native game may still be a couple of years away [3][14] - The current application of AI in gaming is likened to the early stages of autonomous driving in the automotive industry, indicating that the technology is still in its infancy [3][12] Market Reception - "Whispers from the Star" has received 634 reviews within five days of release, with an 86% positive rating, despite being humorously referred to as an "English speaking training software" for Chinese players [4][5] - The game is priced at 33.99 yuan, with an initial discount, making it accessible to a wider audience [4] Future Outlook - Industry experts believe that the exploration of AI in gaming is a positive step, even if the current market expectations do not align with reality [5][12] - The potential for AI to become a core engine for game narratives, rather than just a tool for art or code, is being actively explored [6][12] - The integration of AI into gaming is expected to evolve rapidly, with predictions of significant advancements in the next few years [16][18] Technological Development - The speed of technological advancement in AI applications for gaming has exceeded expectations, with improvements in 3D model generation and real-time interaction capabilities [16][17] - The development of a PaaS layer to bridge the gap between AI models and game engines has been identified as a crucial step in enhancing AI's role in gaming [17] - Approximately 80% of leading gaming companies in China are investing in AI technologies, with around 50% having established AI production pipelines [17]