19-4-2024 (BEIJING) RPGGO, a start-up founded by former Tencent employees, aims to revolutionize the gaming industry by democratizing game creation. The platform, powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), allows individuals with little to no coding experience to create their own role-playing games. Since its launch in February 2024, RPGGO has attracted thousands of game creators and players worldwide.
Led by founder Mr Zhang Lei, the team behind RPGGO left Tencent, a gaming giant, to pursue their vision of making game creation accessible to everyone. The platform utilizes generative AI technology, which gained global attention with the release of ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by US-based OpenAI that assists users in various tasks such as writing, coding, and more.
RPGGO has already seen the development of a wide range of games, including a murder mystery set in 1903 London. This innovative approach to game creation is part of a broader trend in China, where enterprises and developers are harnessing generative AI for practical applications in areas such as finance, education, e-commerce, and content creation.
Generative AI models, the intelligent engines behind these applications, analyze vast amounts of data to recognize patterns and make predictions. In China, public release of generative AI models is subject to adherence to “socialist core values” promoted by the Communist Party of China. The Cyberspace Administration of China has approved 117 generative AI models for public use, ranging from comprehensive tools developed by tech giants like Alibaba to specialized solutions like TAL Education Group’s MathGPT and Shanghai Giant Network Technology’s GiantGPT.
Baidu, a prominent Chinese tech company, has also embraced the potential of generative AI. At their recent developer conference, Baidu unveiled an upgraded suite of software tools that enable individuals with minimal coding knowledge to create apps using generative AI. Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, emphasized the creative revolution sparked by AI, envisioning a future where developing apps is as simple as shooting a video.
China’s AI ecosystem has been bolstered by strong policy support from Beijing, including funding, strategic plans, infrastructure development, and ecosystem nurturing. The country’s large population provides an ideal environment for the rapid iteration and innovation of AI applications. However, a potential challenge for China’s AI sector lies in the supply of AI chips, which could limit the speed of innovation and development.
In terms of global competition, the United States currently leads in the number of notable machine learning models, followed by China and France. However, industry observers highlight the importance of balancing innovation and commercialization. Real-world applications and commercial viability play significant roles in driving AI advancements and adoption.
Despite the US’s initial advantage in AI development, Chinese innovators are quickly catching up. Lowering barriers to entry has provided opportunities for programmers and expanded the market size. The younger generation, in particular, has embraced AI-native products, as evidenced by high school students’ active participation in platforms like RPGGO.
