The development cycle of game AI varies significantly depending on the complexity of the game, the sophistication of the AI, and the resources available. For simple games with basic AI behaviors (e.g., rule-based decision trees), the development cycle may only take a few weeks to a couple of months. For example, a casual mobile game with simple enemy movement patterns can be implemented quickly using predefined scripts.
For more complex games, such as open-world RPGs or competitive multiplayer games, the AI development cycle can extend to several months or even years. This is because advanced AI may require machine learning models, real-time decision-making systems, and extensive testing to ensure fairness and engagement. For instance, a strategy game with adaptive AI opponents might need months of iterative development to balance difficulty and realism.
In the cloud gaming era, leveraging cloud services can streamline AI development. For example, Tencent Cloud offers AI model training and deployment solutions that can accelerate the development of sophisticated game AI. Additionally, Tencent Cloud's distributed computing capabilities allow developers to test AI behaviors at scale, reducing the time needed for optimization.