Algorithmic Assistants: The “Eudaemon” of Tomorrow’s Games
Imagine a shoe‑sized computer whispering betting odds in your ear – exactly what the 1970s physicists did in The Eudaemonic Pie. Modern developers are turning that fantasy into reality with AI‑driven “eudaemons” that crunch live data, predict player behavior, and even suggest narrative branches on the fly.
According to a Nature study (2023), games that integrate real‑time machine‑learning models see a 27% increase in player retention. The next wave will center on low‑latency edge computing, letting indie studios embed predictive algorithms directly into consoles, mobile devices, or even AR glasses.
Future Trend: Edge‑AI “Gameplay Coaches”
- Micro‑AI assistants that analyze a player’s skill curve and adjust difficulty without breaking immersion.
- Transparent “eudaemon” dashboards that let players see how predictions are made, building trust and reducing “black‑box” concerns.
- Hybrid monetisation where players can rent or purchase premium eudaemon modules for specialised strategies – think a roulette‑cheat algorithm for in‑game casino mini‑games.
Trans & Diverse Storytelling: From ZZT to Mainstream Narratives
Jeanne Thornton’s A/S/L proves that queer‑focused narratives can transcend niche labels and become universal art. As games embrace deeper identity politics, studios are hiring writers with lived experience to guide authentic storytelling.
Data from the Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2024 shows that titles featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists generate 15% higher engagement among younger demographics. This is fueling a surge in narrative‑driven indie hits that blend personal memoir with gameplay, such as Coming Out Simulator 2014 and Life is Strange: True Colors.
Future Trend: “Identity‑Driven Procedural Narrative Engines”
- Procedural tools that adapt dialogue trees based on a player’s self‑identified gender, sexuality, and cultural background.
- Cross‑medium collaborations where game studios co‑publish with literary presses (e.g., Coilhouse) to create hybrid book‑games.
- Community‑sourced story patches that let players contribute alternate arcs, keeping the narrative alive long after launch.
Reimagining Fantasy: An American DNA for Procedural Worlds
Miracle Jones’s The Fold series flips the Euro‑centric fantasy script, replacing castles with diners, soot‑covered streets, and melting‑pot immigrant neighborhoods. This “American fantasy” is gaining traction as developers seek fresh mythologies.
Steam’s 2023 “Procedural Worlds” showcase reported a 31% spike in downloads for games that blended historical American settings with fantasy tropes, such as Guns & Magic and Streets of Dust & Dragons.
Future Trend: “Cultural‑Layered World Generators”
- AI‑assisted generators that map regional folklore, slang, and architecture onto procedurally built maps.
- Dynamic economies that mimic American 20th‑century boom‑bust cycles, giving players a living, breathing backdrop.
- Collaborations with local historians to embed authentic micro‑stories, turning every diner or roadside attraction into a narrative beacon.
Borges, Labyrinths, and the Rise of Literary Game Design
Jorge Luis Borges’s mind‑bending mazes are already inspiring titles like Manifold Garden. As developers explore “story‑as‑game” mechanics, we can expect a new genre where literary structures dictate gameplay loops.
According to a 2022 GDC talk on interactive storytelling, 68% of designers see “text‑driven level design” as a growth area for the next five years.
Future Trend: “Narrative‑Labyrinth Engines”
- Modular “story‑rooms” that can be rearranged on the fly, mirroring Borges’s infinite libraries.
- Meta‑puzzles where understanding a literary reference unlocks new gameplay mechanics.
- Cross‑platform experiences that let readers explore a story on a phone, then continue the same labyrinth in VR.
The Indie Publishing Ecosystem: Why “The Videogame Industry Does Not Exist”
Brendan Keogh’s monograph argues that the “industry” is a myth – it’s really a network of precarious creators, collectives, and micro‑studios. This viewpoint is reshaping funding models.
Kickstarter data from 2023 shows indie projects using “community‑owned IP” models raised 42% more than traditional flat‑fee campaigns, reflecting a shift toward shared ownership and collaborative distribution.
Future Trend: “Collective‑Owned Studios”
- Co‑ops where contributors earn fractional equity in games they help build.
- Decentralised publishing platforms that bypass traditional gatekeepers, powered by blockchain‑based royalty tracking.
- Hybrid “book‑game” bundles where literary publishers bundle physical copies with exclusive in‑game content, creating new revenue streams.
Did you know?
AR game HoloVista pioneered location‑based narrative layering, allowing players to overlay a speculative 1960s‑style reality onto modern streets. This technique is now being prototyped for heritage sites, turning museums into interactive storyscapes.
Pro tip for indie creators
Start small: integrate a single AI‑driven eudaemon into an existing prototype to test player reaction. Use free services like Hugging Face for rapid deployment, then iterate based on analytics before scaling up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an “eudaemon” in gaming?
- An algorithmic helper that predicts outcomes or suggests actions, inspired by the benevolent spirit concept from cybernetics.
- Can literary works be directly turned into games?
- Yes. Borges’s labyrinths, for example, have already inspired level design. Tools like Twine and Ink let authors prototype interactive narratives without coding.
- How do indie studios benefit from collective ownership?
- Shared equity reduces financial risk, aligns incentives, and often leads to higher community engagement and crowdfunding success.
- Are there tools for “American‑style” procedural generation?
- Yes. Unreal Engine’s World Partition and Unity’s Procedural Toolkit now support custom cultural data layers, making region‑specific world‑building easier.
- Where can I find more reading on the videogame industry myth?
- Read Brendan Keogh’s monograph The Videogame Industry Does Not Exist (MIT Press).
What’s next for you?
Which of these trends will you experiment with first? Share your thoughts in the comments, explore our Booked For The Week archive for more game‑centric book recommendations, or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly insights on the crossroads of literature, technology, and interactive art.
