Artificial intelligence has undergone impressive evolution in recent times, and among its most notable advances is emotional AI, also known as affective AI.

But what is emotional AI really? Essentially, it is a type of artificial intelligence that goes beyond merely processing data and performing tasks; it has the ability to recognize, interpret, and respond to human emotions. In other words, it is an AI that not only understands what is being said but also how the person saying it feels.

This technological development is beginning to make its way into the video game industry, completely transforming our experience with them. With emotional AI, games promise to offer a much more immersive and enriching experience. Can you imagine playing a game that adapts to your mood? One that reacts to your joy, frustration, or sadness? We are talking about a level of personalization and emotional connection never before seen in the world of video games.

New Levels of Experimentation

Affective AI stands out for its ability to capture, understand, and adapt to the emotions of players. This achievement is made possible through the use of advanced algorithms, neural networks, and data processing methods that analyze various inputs such as facial expressions, voice tones, and physiological signals. The goal is to create a system that not only identifies human emotions in real time but also adjusts its responses according to those emotions.

Façade is an iconic example of this technology, being an interactive game where communication with virtual characters takes place through an online chat. Here, emotional AI interprets players' responses to adjust the characters' reactions, thus creating a dynamic and personalized experience. Another notable example is The Last of Us, where the AI adjusts the intelligence and behavior of enemies in response to the player's actions, adapting to their strategy and emotional state.

In the realm of simulators, Sims 4 uses affective AI to manage virtual characters' responses to different situations, allowing them to experience a wide range of emotions depending on events in their virtual lives, thus enriching the player's experience with more realistic and varied interactions.

The Nemesis system in Middle-earth: Shadow of War is another fascinating example, where the AI dynamically adapts the narrative and interactions based on the player's actions, allowing enemies to remember previous encounters and respond differently in future confrontations.

Emotional AI is also expanding the boundaries in narrative-driven games such as Detroit: Become Human. Here, every player choice not only affects the plot but is also influenced by their emotional state. This subtle yet deep adaptation based on detected emotions promises to offer even more immersive and personalized gaming experiences in the future.

Ethical Issues

Beyond mere entertainment, affective AI is opening up new possibilities in therapy through video games. Games like Celeste, which address delicate topics such as anxiety and depression, can be even more effective when they adapt to the player's emotions in real time, providing a more personalized and meaningful therapeutic experience.

However, the use of this technology presents significant challenges. Privacy and ethics emerge as key concerns in the integration of affective AI in video games. As we move toward an era where games can "interpret" our emotions, the crucial question arises: to what extent are we willing to allow this technology to access our emotional states? This dilemma goes beyond simply recognizing emotions, as it involves reflecting on how our emotions are collected, stored, and used.

As a result, relevant concerns about privacy arise. How can game developers ensure the security and protection of such sensitive emotional data? What measures are in place to prevent the misuse of this information, such as targeted advertising or emotional manipulation aimed at monetizing the game? Establishing clear boundaries and transparency policies for users becomes crucial in this context.