In the sci-fi strategy game Stellaris on Steam, you must compete against artificial intelligence in the new expansion. As the developers have revealed, they themselves also use AI to develop the game.
What kind of game is this? The sci-fi strategy game Stellaris was released by the Swedish developers Paradox Studios in 2016. Following the typical formula of the strategy game studio, the game has been regularly supplied with new DLCs since then. It’s no wonder that Mein-MMO author Schuhmann spends many hours in the game regularly.
- Stellaris is one of the extremely deep strategy simulations and a so-called 4X game: It’s about Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate – scouting, spreading, exploiting, and exterminating.
- The game has 87% positive reviews on Steam and has been one of the most successful strategy games for years.
- The new expansion “The Machine Age” is once again bringing momentum to the game.
You can watch the trailer for the new expansion “The Machine Age” here.
Developers of Stellaris make AI the villain
What’s going on with the AI? In the new expansion “The Machine Age”, machines and artificial intelligence are in the spotlight. The machines have received new ascension paths and there is a new crisis.
The new crisis revolves around the synthetic queen Cetana, who wants to free the galaxy from its suffering. The suffering seems to be us if we do not join her, but whether that is a good idea remains open for discussion.
The idea that artificial intelligence can be evil has been known since at least Terminator. However, the developers of Stellaris effectively illustrate the dangers of an AI population with their expansion.
Developers also use AI
How is AI used in Stellaris? The developers of Stellaris now also use artificial intelligence for the development of the game. On Steam, the developers explain that AI is used in two different forms:
“We use generative AI technologies for the creation of some assets. Typically, this involves the development of content and visual reference materials. These elements represent a small component of the overall development. AI was used to generate voices for an AI antagonist and a player advisor.”
The developers use AI to create an expansion where AI threatens the galaxy. When players noticed this situation, discussions quickly started on Reddit. Developer Stephen “Eladrin” Muray responded to the community’s calls on Reddit:
We did not use it for concept art in “The Machine Age” – we have some great concept artists on the team. […] There may be a few AI-generated pieces on the visdev exploration/mood board, but they would be among a series of other inspiring thematic images. […] I personally use image generation tools to create simple sketches of things that the system designers and I envision, as I am very bad at art […]
Stephen “Eladrin” Muray on Reddit
How are the developers ensuring that AI does not threaten our galaxy? To prevent this, there are likely rules at Paradox: “We have some strict guidelines for the legal and ethical use of AI tools that we adhere to.” This probably also includes the payment of voice actors.
The voice actors who created the voice models for the AI voices in the game are compensated by the developers for every line. So, the AI use in Stellaris does not really threaten the galaxy yet, but you can do so in the new expansion: On its anniversary, a celebrated sci-fi strategy game receives a new expansion that turns you into the villain
