The free-to-play Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is set to introduce advanced AI technology to further increase gameplay dynamics and difficulty.

As part of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters: The Legend of Duelists QUARTER CENTURY 25th anniversary event, the developers behind MASTER DUEL announced that the game will be receiving advanced AI learning to enhance gameplay dynamics to the game.

Unlike regular CPU which is programmed with set conditions and only perform the same actions, the AI technology is said to learn, adapt, and utilize far more strategies based on recorded data.

During our interview with Kenichi Kataoka, senior producer for Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL, it was unveiled that about 100 thousand matches of player data were feed into the AI learning.

Kataoka also noted that AI technology is meant to be platform for players to create their own AIs, saying “Our purpose here is to demonstrate how individuals can create their own AIs to play in MASTER DUEL.”

“It is not for us to create, but more of us to provide a new interface for players to get their hands on their own AIs to play in MASTER DUEL.”

In regards to the difference between the currently coded CPU opponents and the advanced AI, Kataoka said “One of the advantages we are thinking is about the service.”

“The CPUs that you have been facing in Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL so far are not AIs, but merely programs with a lot of ifs – if this situation happens, it does this and that. And so it will also initiate the same move if they are given the same situations.”

“Thus, how we balance the CPUs’ decks is by changing their internals – the cards inside the deck.”

“Because as I said, if the CPUs are given the same deck, they will always play the same way, in the same situation.”

“However, these AIs can learn and can make their own decisions.We think that this gives them some uniqueness when playing any decks.”

“Even if we don’t calibrate how the deck goes, each AI will play differently in the same scenario. So, one of the biggest advantages is uniqueness.”

As of writing, Konami has not announced when will the AI technology be implemented into MASTER DUEL yet.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami

Release Date: 2022-01-19

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

The definitive digital edition of the competitive card game that has been evolving for over 20 years! Duel at the highest level against Duelists all over the world.