AWS for Games to spotlight generative AI at GDC 2024

With the annual Game Developer Conference (GDC) just days away, Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Games is ramping up to host exciting technology demonstrations and programming focused on evolving industry trends, including generative artificial intelligence (AI). From March 18-22, AWS for Games invites developers to connect with its team and see new AWS for Games and partner solutions in action at the Play and Learn Lounge (Moscone Convention Center West Hall #WL2-4, level 2), and check out a range of AWS-sponsored sessions covering customer and service advancements in game development. The company will also host a Women in Games Panel and Networking event on Monday, March 18, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; register here.

AWS Play and Learn Lounge activities

AWS generative AI specialists will be on hand in the Play and Learn Lounge throughout GDC, demonstrating how large language models (LLM) and generative AI services enable non-player characters (NPCs) to be more dynamic and intelligent. Attendees can also check out Ada, a prototype in-game NPC powered by the MetaHuman Animator in Unreal Engine and Amazon Bedrock. Another demonstration will allow lounge visitors to play video games streamed from Amazon Luna while learning about the studios and services involved in the development process.

Attendees can also get an overview of the latest guidance from AWS experts on dynamic NPC dialogue on AWS, the creation of personalized avatars with Amazon SageMaker, and multiplayer session-based game hosting on AWS.

AWS Partner Showcase

On Wednesday, March 20, AWS for Games will host a Partner Showcase from 5:00-8:00pm for game developers looking to leverage the latest tools in the cloud and network with industry peers. AWS will be joined by game studios and technology partners for panel discussions on generative AI, cloud game development, and building game development backends. Featured partners include Perforce, JetBrains, Incredibuild, AccelByte, Pragma, Heroic Labs, Scenario, NVIDIA, Modulate, and Endava. Be sure to RSVP here if you plan to attend.

AWS for Games GDC 2024 session highlights

Wednesday, March 20

10:30-11:00am: Building and scaling MONOPOLY GO!, the #1 casual game launch of 2023

Room 2024, West Hall

Scopely’s Monopoly Go! launched in April 2023 and quickly grew to become the world’s #1 casual mobile game, surpassing $1B in revenue within six months. Join the game’s architects for a conversation on the architectural and design considerations underpinning the game, the AWS services used to help scale it, and lessons learned along the way.

11:30am-12:00pm: Harnessing generative AI to create unlimited content within game worlds

Room 3009, West Hall

Saltwater Games details the generative AI architecture of “Resurgence,” an upcoming free-to-play, post-apocalyptic, open-world crafting and survival game. Learn about the technology behind the in-game ThorAI (powered by Amazon Bedrock), and get a dive deep into fully voiced, interactive in-game NPCs in the companion mobile game Missing. Explore real-world use cases for a variety of generative AI services and solutions.

Thursday, March 21

10:00-11:00am: The future of game development with Bungie Founder Alexander Seropian

Room 2011, West Hall

Join Look North World Founder Alexander Seropian (also the original founder of Bungie) for a fireside chat offering a closer look at the game development company building new experiences in the Fortnite universe using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). He’ll also cover lessons learned throughout his development career, the opportunities new approaches present, and the importance of building with the cloud and focusing on fun, not technology.

2:00-2:30pm: Capturing the magical realm of data generated by Baldur’s Gate 3

Room 3022, West Hall

Baldur’s Gate 3 is built on an intricate storyline heavily affected by player choices. Explore how Larian Studios added AWS to the party to capture different representations of the complex set of state, which describes players’ positions and flow through their individual stories. From the complexities of handling millions of cross-saves uploaded by users through gameplay analytics, see how these data capture systems service both the players and developers and scale from the Early Access release through to the highly successful launch 3 years later.

3:00-3:30pm: Using generative AI for content moderation in gaming at scale

Room 3009, West Hall

Machine learning and generative AI are being leveraged across gaming for the content moderation of audio chat, text messages, images, videos, livestreams, and more. Find out how human moderators are using the technology to enhance decision-making efficiency while minimizing the volume of harmful content requiring manual review, and how it’s fostering a healthy gaming community while also keeping players engaged.

3:00-3:30pm: The PM’s dilemma – Striking a healthy balance when managing live games

GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

Product managers must be more efficient than ever in deploying resources and spending their time. Managing live games requires a balance of retaining mature players with evergreen content, personalizing offers, attracting new players, and getting them into your core loop as quickly as possible. Join CleverTap Gaming and AWS for Games for an overview of the approaches game teams can take when choosing how to power LiveOps and manage their game.

For more information about the AWS presence at GDC or to connect with us at the show, head over to the AWS for Games at GDC webpage or schedule a GDC meeting with AWS in the Meeting Village (North Hall Esplanade Ballroom #302). We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!