Roblox Integrates Generative AI to Ease Game Development

Roblox is the latest company to jump on the generative AI bandwagon. The online gaming platform has announced that it will integrate artificial intelligence tools to create an immersive experience. The company is betting that by entering just one phrase, users will be able to immediately create content.

The company has published a video demonstrating the use of generative AI in its technologies.

Roblox allows you to create not only textures and materials for objects, but also 3D models with functions defined using a tooltip. It will also be possible to change values such as weather, gravity or lighting using natural language.

Daniel Shturman, CTO of Roblox, said that not only would generative AI tools increase creators' productivity, but they would also reduce the technical skills needed to bring ideas to life.

"Some creators can code but may have limited experience in creating high-quality 3D models. Others may have more model design experience but less code experience. In both cases, we see a future in which even a novice can quickly gain an advantage by striving to implement bring your imagination to life in Roblox," he said.

Shturman mentions that some users are already using the generative AI tools in Roblox, although they are not yet integrated into the platform. The decision to include this technology implies that the results will be “Roblox-ready,” i.e. 3D models that conform to specifications, connected to a physics engine, and instructions in Lua code to make them interactive.

One of the keys to Roblox's success is that it makes it easy to create games with simple tools. Anyone can access the interactive interface development platform, although anything more robust requires specialized programming and design knowledge. While modern technology makes the process easier, the use of generative AI in video game development is a paradigm shift.

For example, designing a car using a traditional methodology involves 3D modeling the vehicle, texturing it, creating a wireframe, and coding interaction and physics instructions in a game engine. In Roblox, it would be enough to write "Red two-seater convertible" and let the AI do all the work.

Roblox is testing two generative AI tools, one to modify object materials and the other to streamline programming. Daniel Shturman will provide more details during GDC 2023 next month in San Francisco.