Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we play, adapting the difficulty so that each user faces a challenge according to their abilities.
Globant
Gamer's Day is not a conventional celebration in historical terms, but it is a good time to put the magnifying glass on a journey of constant innovation. From the arcades of the 80s, to 16-bit cartridges and the jump to 3D, to cloud gaming and eSports, video games have transformed the way we play, connect and live the digital experience.
"In the 80s and 90s we played in arcade venues or on microcomputers such as the Sinclair ZX Spectrum or the Commodore 64. Then, consoles such as the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo and PlayStation brought fun to the living room. Today, a smartphone can carry a universe of games in its pocket," explains Kevin Janzen, CEO of Globant's Games & Edtech Studio.
From pixels to virtual reality
The graphic evolution marked milestones that forever changed the player experience. The move from 2D to 3D, as in Super Mario 64 or Winning Eleven, opened the door to more immersive worlds. On PC, early graphics cards like the Diamond Monster 3D revolutionized titles like Tomb Raider. On consoles, the power of the Dreamcast, PS2, and Xbox 360 gave way to generations capable of delivering photorealistic graphics and massive online experiences. Users have always been looking for more: "Today gamers are looking not only to play, but also to optimize their hardware, as is the case with Nvidia's GeForce cards, to achieve more FPS, sometimes almost as if it were an obsession," says Kevin Janzen, CEO of Globant's Games & Edtech Studio.
The Internet: the great turning point
The development of connectivity changed everything: it allowed cooperative and competitive games remotely, generated global communities and opened new business models. From physical games, it went to digital platforms, with microtransactions and subscriptions such as Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.
However, this change also brought debates about the preservation of games and true ownership of content. "Now what we pay many times is only a license. It is more accessible, but also more ephemeral," he says.
Business models and global culture
The leap to games-as-a-service and microtransactions has turned titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, and FIFA (now EA Sports FC) into veritable billing phenomena. In Asia, mobile gaming powers hits like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile, with millions in revenue from character customization and upgrades.
In addition, in games like Fortnite and Roblox, brands hold product launches, integrated events, and even virtual concerts. Statista figures confirm that the global in-game advertising market is projected at USD 124.45 billion by 2025, and is projected to grow to USD 181.36 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7.8%.
The Age of AI: The Behind the Scenes of a Video Game
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we play, adapting the difficulty so that each user faces a challenge according to their abilities. By analyzing behavioral data, developers can detect when a player is about to quit and offer personalized incentives to keep them engaged.
In addition, AI-powered dynamic balance ensures fair environments in multiplayer matches, while enemies controlled by advanced algorithms learn and evolve with each encounter. What we see is just the beginning: AI is revolutionizing game development as well. Under human command, it can automatically generate scenarios and assets, create complex scripts and behaviors in a matter of seconds. These tools have a direct impact on the work of the teams; it reduces time, optimizes resources and allows you to focus on creativity. AI, in the end, is an ally that opens up previously unthinkable possibilities.
"AI not only makes the game more challenging, but it also keeps it alive, adapting to each player as if they were a human opponent. This does not only happen in the most current video games, it is something that was historically applied in classic games of our adolescence such as Winning Eleven or Mortal Kombat, to cite iconic cases," says Janzen.
"The other part of the AI revolution in the gaming industry is in how games are created. Today, developers can rely on algorithms that speed up the generation of worlds, characters and mechanics, reducing times and freeing up space for human creativity," he concludes.
Esports, a way to capitalize on gamer skills
In the last decade, Esports have become a global phenomenon that transcends the realm of digital entertainment. This sector has not only experienced exponential growth in its audience, but also in investment, sponsorship and professionalization, becoming one of the industries with the greatest projection in the sports and technology scene. Latin America, in particular, has emerged as a hotbed of talent and a strategic market for competitive development.
Within this context, 9z Globant is the strategic collaboration between 9z Team and Globant that aims to take regional talent to new horizons and set new precedents in the global industry. With players from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, the team has excelled in key disciplines such as Counter Strike (Main and Academy), Valorant (Male and Female), Sim Racing and R6, establishing itself as one of the most prominent organizations worldwide.
