Month 1: Initial AI Integration and Basic Functionality
- Goal: Deploy a basic version of the AI to dynamically adjust game difficulty based on player performance.
- Milestones:
- Set up basic data collection via Unity Analytics for key gameplay events.
- Implement a simple ML model to adjust the speed of aliens based on the player’s current score and health metrics.
- Launch feature in a beta environment to collect initial player feedback.
Month 2: Refinement and First Round of Optimizations
- Goal: Improve the accuracy of the AI adjustments and expand data collection parameters.
- Milestones:
- Enhance data collection to include detailed player interaction patterns.
- Refine the AI model based on initial player feedback to improve difficulty scaling.
- Measure the impact on Day 1 retention and make necessary adjustments.
Month 3: Enhanced AI Features and Additional Gameplay Elements
- Goal: Integrate more sophisticated AI features to enhance player engagement and retention.
- Milestones:
- Introduce AI-driven content personalization such as customized challenges.
- Deploy updated AI models that predict player frustration and boredom points.
- Evaluate improvements in Day 7 retention and player satisfaction.
Month 4: Full AI Deployment and Performance Scaling
- Goal: Fully integrate the AI across all game levels and ensure scalability.
- Milestones:
- Scale the AI implementation to handle more concurrent players.
- Optimize cloud infrastructure for cost-efficiency and performance.
- Full deployment of AI features to all players and monitor for stability and performance issues.
Month 5: Advanced AI Capabilities and Real-Time Adjustments
- Goal: Introduce real-time AI adjustments based on deeper player behavior analytics.
- Milestones:
- Implement real-time data processing for instant AI-driven game adjustments.
- Introduce more complex AI capabilities, such as adaptive storytelling.
- Assess the impact on long-term player engagement and game monetization.
Month 6: Continuous Improvement and Expansion
- Goal: Enter a phase of continuous improvement and start exploring AI expansion to other games.
- Milestones:
- Continuously refine AI models using ongoing player data.
- Begin preliminary research on applying similar AI enhancements to other games in the portfolio.
- Develop a framework for periodic AI updates based on evolving gameplay and player feedback.
Conclusion
This accelerated roadmap focuses on quickly delivering value through AI integration while ensuring that the game adapts to player needs and business objectives efficiently. Each month builds upon the previous, starting with basic implementations and moving towards more sophisticated AI features, all while keeping a close eye on key performance metrics like player retention and engagement. This approach ensures that the team can remain agile, responsive to player feedback, and aligned with business goals in a fast-paced development environment.