Google is making strides in artificial intelligence with a focus on co-operative gameplay, where players may soon be able to play alongside AI companions that can understand voice commands. The AI, known as SIMA (Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent), is being trained across various games including Valheim, Goat Simulator 3, and No Man's Sky. SIMA can perform over 600 basic actions like collecting items, using menus, and building, and can already play new games at a level comparable to human players, despite still being in the early stages of training.

Can Google's AI play games as well as human players?

Google claims that the AI, known as SIMA, can perform over 600 basic in-game actions and is capable of playing games it has never encountered before at a level equivalent to human players.

Providing relevant background information on the technology and games mentioned: SIMA represents the frontier of AI technology in gaming, which is not just about creating more realistic game environments, but also about enhancing the gaming experience itself. Valheim is a popular survival game known for its vast open world and cooperative gameplay, making it an ideal environment to test AI like SIMA. Goat Simulator 3 and No Man's Sky also offer unique gameplay mechanics and universes, providing diverse challenges for AI training. These games are indicative of the vast potential for AI integration into various gaming genres, fundamentally changing how players may interact with and enjoy their gaming experiences.