The landscape of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) is evolving. With automatic hunting as a standard feature, players can now rely on artificial intelligence (AI) for character development, reducing fatigue while enhancing the enjoyment of growth.
As of September 21, Com2us's 'Zeus: God of Wrath' and Smilegate's 'Eclipse: The Awakening' are ranked first and second in revenue on the Google Play Store. Both games feature AI capabilities that allow characters to progress even when players are not actively logged in.
A recent survey by market research firm Mintel found that 80% of adults aged 18 to 34 enjoy watching game content as much as playing it themselves. This marks a shift from a focus on direct gameplay to finding enjoyment in observing character growth.
In response to this trend, the gaming industry is increasingly incorporating automatic hunting and AI to allow players to experience character development without investing extensive time.
Launched in August, 'Zeus' features a core function called 'AI Mode,' which enables characters to hunt and grow according to player-set parameters while they are not actively controlling the game. Players can configure hunting grounds and play styles based on their available gaming time, allowing AI to manage growth during periods of inactivity.
One player stated, “I use the 24-hour AI mode, which allows my character to grow even when I’m not logged in, letting me focus on community activities within the game.” They added, “By checking the growth level and suitable hunting grounds, I can set hunting schedules that align with my unavailable times, efficiently developing my character.”
Smilegate's 'Eclipse: The Awakening' also promotes a 'light MMO' experience. Players can complete daily quests, dungeons, and field hunts even when not logged in, supporting up to 24 hours of AI play without direct engagement. Kakao Games is set to join the competition with the release of 'World of the Goblins' in October, further simplifying and enhancing the MMORPG experience.
A gaming industry insider noted, “As players have less time to dedicate to gaming, we are reducing the emphasis on repetitive content like hunting by utilizing AI. This allows players to make decisions about distributing experience points gained through automatic hunting, enabling a more diverse and enjoyable growth experience.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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