1. Evolution of Artificial Intelligence In Video Games
By Brian Bell

2. What is Artificial Intelligence?
The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) was coined by John McCarthy in 1956
As a Noun
The Intelligence of Machines.
As a Field
“The science and engineering of making intelligent machines.”

3. How does AI apply to games?
Game AI is game design, implemented.

4. Overview Step through the History of Video Games
Highlight certain AI techniques and trends
Go over some of the pitfalls of modern AI development in the Video Game Industry

5. Pong One of the First Video Games Manufactured by Atari
Released in 1972
Designed for 1 or 2 players.
Essentially just table tennis in 2 dimensions.

6. The AI of Pong There is Logic to how the Computer moves the paddle.
The computer predicts where the ball with end up based on a number of factors then moves the paddle to that predicted location.
To simulate Human error the computer is designed to skip its adjustment every 8 frames.

7. Pac-Man Developed by Namco Distributed by Midway (in US)
Released: 1980
Single player only
Simple maze game

8. Ghosts Chases Pac-Man Try to get in front of Pac-Man Moves at Random*
While the Ghosts appear to move in a random order this is not always the case. As each Ghost has its own Algorithm to control its actions.
Chases Pac-Man
Try to get in front of Pac-Man
Moves at Random*

9. Super Mario Bros. Developed by Nintendo Released in 1985
Classic example of the Platformer

10. Scripted AI
Enemy units in the game are designed to follow a scripted pattern.
Either move back and forth in a given location or attack a player if nearby
Became a staple technique for AI design.

12. Sim City Developed by Maxis Published by Electronic Arts
Released in 1989
First in a series of Simulation Games which are often at the forefront of AI technology

13. A Living World
The player is able to manipulate certain aspects of the city.
The population of the City acts somewhat autonomously.
Furthermore the game will simulate random disasters.

14. The Sims Developed by Maxis Published by Electronic Arts
Released in 2000
A life simulation game in which the player has control over a semi- autonomous people.

15. Complex characters
The Sims characters can be manipulated by the player but will also carry out day to day tasks on their own.
Characters also have defined needs and personality traits that dictate how they act in given situations.

16. Complex Object Interactions
Characters are able to interact with an arrangement of objects in the environment due to unique object logic.

17. Black and White Developed by Lionhead Studios Published by EA games
Released in 2001
Simulation game in which you play God.

18. Black and White Similar to Sim City
You had more control over the environment and the people in the game
You could also create armies and wage war

19. AI Learning You could control and train large creatures
You could then punish or reward the creatures based on how they complete tasks.
Over time the creatures will learn how you wish tasks to be done based on how they are treated.

20. Combat Oriented Games Simulation games are more advanced
Combat Oriented Games are more Popular
Evolution of AI in combat games has advanced quite a bit in the past 10 years.

21. Halo: Combat Evolved Developed by Bungi Published by Microsoft
Released in 2001
First person shooter that garnered fame for competently brining the genre to Consoles

22. Dynamic Enemy AI Enemies reacted in dynamic ways.
Different enemies would react differently in different situations.
Enemies would work together against the player.

23. Behavior Trees

24. Tasks Condition Action
Conditional Nodes represent read only functions.
These functions are when the AI unit observes some information about its environment
Examples: Searching for enemies or nearby cover, determining orientation.
Actions Represent actual performed functions.
These functions are generally reflected in the graphical representation.
Examples: Firing on an enemy, throwing a grenade, reloading, ducking behind cover.

25. Sequences and Selectors? 1 2 3 1 2 3
A sequence represents a group of tasks that must be carried out in order for the overall task to complete
A selector will ultimately only carry out one task but attempt to run each of its child task until it finds the correct task for the situation.

26. Behavior Tree ?
Investigate
Patrol
Attack

27. Behavior Trees: Good and Bad
Benefits
Costs
Allows AI units to act in dynamic ways depending on the situation
Allows designers to group different actions together for different situations
Allows for enemy differentiation
Can be time consuming to generate
More complex actions require more complex trees
Running through all the possible actions can take a lot of time.

28. Behavior Trees Bottom Line
Are a good way to provide dynamic actions to individual AI Units
Generally require a larger AI control structure for proper implementation.

29. Left 4 Dead Developed and published by Valve Released in 2008
A co-op first person shooter set in a zombie apocalypse.

31. AI Director
The game utilizes an AI director that will change the game based on how well the player(s) are doing.
This can make the game more or less difficult for players with different skill levels.
This also changes the events of the game between different play sessions.

32. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Developed and Published by Bethesda Game Studios
Released in 2011
Open World RPG set in a fantasy world

33. Unbalanced AI
Non Playable characters (NPCs) and enemies within the game world react dynamically with the player and each other.

34. Unbalanced AI
Enemies are not designed to deal with simple obstacles

35. Problems With AI in Gaming
There are a number of issues that prevent Video Games from being the best area for the evolution of AI
Despite the how far AI in games has come over time no game is perfect.
There are a number of reasons as to why this is and will always be the case.

36. Sequels

37. Release Schedule Time Money
The game has to be released at some point and not everything that needs to be addressed can be addressed.
Money
Games are expensive to make so items are generally prioritized to put the most effort into what is considered most important.

38. Is it fun? Games are about Entertainment
While the AI in a game might be very advanced it might not necessarily be entertaining.

39. Are Video Games good for AI Development?
The Good
The Bad
AI is essential to Games
Games provide a simulated world where programmers can experiment
The Game Industry is the largest area where AI is being applied.
Time and Money are an issue
Innovation might not be that important
Entertainment is more important then quality

40. References
Champandard, A. (2008, December 28). Behavior Trees for Next- Gen AI. Retrieved May 2011, from AiGameDev.com:
Champandard, A. J. (2012, February 9). Trends and Highlights in Game AI for Retrieved May 2012, from aigamedev.com:
History of Game AI. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2012, from AI Game Programers Guild:
Montfort, N., & Bogost, I. (2009). Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System. The MIT Press.
Wexler, J. (2002). Artificial Intelligence in Games: A look at the smarts behind Lionhead Studio’s “Black and White” and where it can and will go in the future. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester.