Hey Blu: Is AI stealing tech jobs? Possibly... but more Indie Devs may be the result!

I'm responding to a portion of an email that was sent this week because... I think it would make for an interesting post sent by... Will Anurak. Shout out to you.

"With the advent of AI, game developers are beginning to think seriously about replacing employees with artificial intelligence and I think it's a good thing. After all, AI can work for cheaper salaries, and it doesn't take vacations or sick days. What's not to love?" - Will A.

Not to be sarcastic, but... the AI doesn't work for a dime, but maybe that was what you were trying to say. Speaking of salaries, the people working for those salaries... need those salaries because they need the ability to pay bills, eat, and all that good stuff. If AI did it all, we'd be done for! It's a give-and-take when you think about it. Let's say that the majority of jobs were AI in software, and AI bots in manufacturing/services, where would the money come from in order to generate any sort of revenue to keep the doors open? People need a way to make a way or they would be no way other than to go back to the basics and farm, tinker, and barter to cover our daily needs.

This is why we have great respect for the essential workers because everything would break down without them, Will and they need to be paid in order to have a reason to clock back in. It's not all about the money. I actually thought about this as a kid when we'd think about someone having all the money in the world. We'd go back and forth because... money wouldn't matter if no one else had any.

"Of course, there are still some issues to work out. For example, AI might not be able to create the next great AAA game on its own. And smaller games might suffer if all the big studios start using AI, since budgets would shrink." - Will A.

Sadly, when it comes to some developers, these issues are the only thing stopping them from massive layoffs. I hope they turn away from such thoughts and instead use AI for fillers. I understand that there are smaller developers who don't have a way to make a way without... AI, because that's the only way they were able to get off the ground, but... slamming the door on employees is a bad idea.

Truth be told, when it comes to some stores like... The Dollar Tree (for example), I'm totally for self-checkout options. Add some self-checkout kiosks in there, have one person on the register, and let the other person stock/step in when needed. I've seen these workers running back and forth with boxes sitting in aisles, long lines for a worker who has to call someone from stocking, the office, or the storage room for help. Based on that... I feel like self-checkout kiosks would help relieve some of the stress and help them get to become more efficient (not get rid of them).

I've seen people leave stores because lines were too long, and I've left stores because I was pressed for time. That's money that could've been made, so the self-checkout options should pay for themselves in a short time even if the investment could affect the bottom line initially. It can be done in a roll-out type of way to cover sections of states based on need... and the video/managers would be proof of need. This is one example how AI can help and not hinder opportunities.

"But overall, it seems like AI is the wave of the future for the game industry. So if you're thinking about getting into game development, you might want to learn how to code for AI too." - Will A.

I only dabble a little, if any with code, but... code isn't my thing at all. I'm on the creative side. Anyway, I think it would suck for developers to do this unless they absolutely need to do this. If it does happen, it's safe to assume that more indie devs would pop up comprised of industry veterans ready to serve up some eye-catching titles, and I hope that results in more doors being open to those in need of opportunities based. I still don't see if happening in a way that would just replace dev teams... but I can't forget about the massive layoffs that occur, so it's hard to say what will happen. AAA studios may want to think twice though because they could essentially create more competition for themselves.

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Dear Developers: Bugs

This is one of those topics that goes beyond one platform, one generation... no matter who the audience is, and that is bugs. Bugs... do just that, bug gamer's if they affect game play for the worse. It doesn't matter the size of the developer... granted smaller developers get more of a pass, especially if the game is more ambition than a small indie title. That said... no one gets a pass if a game has been released and goes un-patched, that's annoying, especially if the game is still being sold like fully functional games are.

There are fun bugs, but the ones that stand in the way of gameplay should result in the game being temporarily free until... it gets fixed. There could be a free window to play... like how games have those free weekend's on Steam. That would be motivation to fix the game asap.

As a matter of fact... it may piss a lot of developers off, but games released without a disclaimer of still being development (which there are a few on Steam)... I think all platforms should do a free window until it's patched. Some games may not be able to do that since the experience can be enjoyed in one sitting... but in that case they shouldn't be available to play or buy. It would be cool if developer could decide between not having the game available for sale or a play window, until they swat those bugs.

I'm not deliberately trying to make myself public enemy #1 with this post, but there is a silver lining.

Think of the reviews, the word of mouth, the detoured sales and your overall reputation when it comes to future games. This isn't our first dance with this topic, but I was reminded of it... when I saw a fellow gamer, Gunn3r... playing Mercenary Kings on Steam.

I inquired on whether the game had been patched since the last time I had played... which was quite awhile ago (granted many games have to be played). He did a bit of playing and testing it out, only to get back to me saying that there are still problems with the game (main when he plays in full screen).

I still have to check it out myself... but that game was released back in 2014! I mention this game for the purpose of including all games in a similar space... don't let your efforts go to waste.

On the flip side... there are situations that occur in development teams that never reach the public. Arguments between teammates, legal disputes, team mates leaving the project. So there are things that can affect the project beyond a developer merely choosing not to get it done, but there should be efforts to seek new members to fill those voids... because someone is still collecting a check as long as the game is being purchased.

A game like Mercenary Kings doesn't have to stop at the initial missions... because it's one of those multiplayer games where more can be added on to further and enhance the gamer's experience. I'd personally take and expand over the course of 4 years based on crowd funding. That would extend the life of the game and... pave the way for a new installment (if it makes sense based on new ideas and tech). Anyway... developers, think about this stuff, especially if you're just starting out and haven't considered the downside of incomplete game releases.

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