Will playing against AI make people more social?
New research suggests the answer may be yes. Since the introduction of AI-controlled opponents in the popular multiplayer game PUBG: Battlegrounds, players have not only been spending more time in the game, but also teaming up with friends more often. Researchers say the AI opponents gave new players a chance to build confidence, making them more likely to stick with the game and play socially.
One of the best-selling video games of all time, Battlegrounds unites dozens of players on a single map as they aim to survive as long as possible. Launched in 2017, the game faced a common problem as the video game industry matured: attracting new players.
“At the peak of the game, there are so many experienced players that new players have no incentive to join the game because they’re always losing,” says Liangfei Qiu, a professor at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and co-author of a research paper to be published in the journal Information Systems Research.
To address this issue, Battlegrounds began adding AI opponents to some matches starting in 2020. Computer-controlled characters tuned to be just a little bit worse than the average human player made it easy for new players to practice their skills and gain confidence in the game.
Importantly, players knew there were AI players in the match, but there was no way to tell who was human and who was computer.
After introducing AI opponents, players spent about 50% more time in the game and played more matches. But they weren’t just playing against the computer. More success led them to spend more time playing with friends, increasing team play by 28%.
AI opponents were not labeled, so players experienced more success without always knowing whether they were defeating a person or a bot. (Players who want more serious competition can choose to play in a game mode that only allows human players.)
Researchers claim these wins increased players’ confidence and motivation to play with friends.
“The basic mechanics are based on increasing players’ self-efficacy and sense of responsibility towards their teammates. That’s why players play more games and play more games with their friends,” said Qiu, himself a Battlegrounds player.
Although the study focuses on one video game, Qiu said its lessons extend beyond entertainment. He argues that rather than replacing newcomers, AI could help people gain the experience and confidence they need to progress, whether in games or work.
“If you can build an agent AI foundation at the edge of your organization, those agents can help people rather than replace them,” he said.
