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Well, in the drought of good topics recently that aren’t console wars (even I am beginning to tire of them now) I thought I’d write about artificial intelligence.
In many developer’s eyes, artificial intelligence is the ultimate creation. Its something that everyone wishes to make, and the code is worth millions. So what is it? Well basically, AI gives the computer the ability to make its own decisions, learn from mistakes, build on itself and more importantly have its own opinions and feelings. AI plays a large part in Sony’s plan for the future, as its main selling point is the Emotion Engine, and its supposed ability to simulate AI.
But ask yourself this: Is AI already upon us? In a way, yes. As I write this, I am witnessing a very simple form of this. Word 2000 has the ability to learn from its mistakes. For example, the first time you type “PSone” into word, it will decapitalise “S”. If you correct it a few times, it no longer does this. Word is learning that you don’t like this, and adapting. OK, let’s make a list of AI features:
1. Learn from mistakes
2. Make decisions
3. Adapt
4. Build on itself
5. Have it’s own feelings and opinions
Right then; scratch 1. What about 2? Well, decision-making routines have been in games for yonks. Let’s look at Tekken. According to its situation, Tekken will choose between high, low, hand, kick, flying, special and combo attacks whilst you are fighting. It assesses the situation then makes a decision and executes it. This is a very basic routine as don’t forget it is running on a PlayStation here, which is essentially a 66mhz. Let’s look at a higher form. In games which has multiple routes such as SSX on the PS2 or Speed Freaks on the PSone, the computer has to decide which route to take based on: Risk according to mistake parameters and advantage gained in relation to power-ups. If the computer decides to go for it, it will. Games that do not have a fixed route such as kart racers have to make very complex path finding mechanisms every second, which is a testament to modern technology. OK, decision making’s current highest level: The First Person Shooter. When we play a FPS we usually stay to a basic plan, such as: Keep moving, shoot people when opportunity arises, kill Sniper quick before he kills you, and stay near the BFG. We are constantly running these thoughts through out head and we make split-second decisions that eventually boil down to a list of commands. Forwards or back, left or right, shoot, jump or change weapon. It’s the same with a FPS AI routine. The computer assesses how many people are near, threat imposed, success probability and other things such as terrain and power-ups. It then generates commands. These routines are very sensitive however and that’s why movement can be erratic.
OK, now we’ve covered decisions, let’s look at adaptation. Adapting in videogames is also not a new thing. The PSone game Speed Freaks supposedly learnt your driving styles and adapted to your driving styles. I never really noticed this but the reviewers said they could. Essentially, this means that if the computer recognises that you aggressively barge people out of the way, it will stay away from you. If it notices you are targeting a particular character, it becomes aggressive itself. The computer analyses your actions then basically recompiles its AI routine to compensate. Therefore, each game will be different. Of course, for this to be any good you need a sophisticated piece of hardware, and this is where the nest generation console comes in. Now, I don’t know about any GameCube games with any noteworthy AI, so let’s take an upcoming PS2 title, which I think is also a PC game as well. Conflict Zone is a real time strategy much like Command and Conquer that is being developed by the Paris based firm MASA (Mathématiques Appliquées). You probably would have heard of them unless you are involved in military warfare but they are experts in AI. Early reports have shown that this game is staggeringly intelligent, and it is really noticeable. Every time you play it’s a completely new experience because the game actually adapts to the situation and changes its game plan to suit. It can predict what you are doing and counteract it. For example, if one of the troops strays into a minefield and gets killed, the unit remembers that and asks you for an alternative destination next time. Another example is you can give a set of instructions to a unit and it then begins to think for itself, carrying out your orders via the best route possible. However, if it’s a new recruit don’t expect it to last long, and more experienced commandos are less likely to attempt a stupid bravado stunt.
As for 4 and 5, well, I think at the moment we can only dream of things. An AI routine that builds on itself effectively learns new information and develops new skills. A computer that can learn is a truly outstanding achievement, as its abilities will know no limits. The ultimate AI though, is AI that thinks, AI that forms opinions, and AI that has its own opinions. If we develop a program like this we can truly say that it is alive, and imagine the fun we could have playing against that.
In many developer’s eyes, artificial intelligence is the ultimate creation. Its something that everyone wishes to make, and the code is worth millions. So what is it? Well basically, AI gives the computer the ability to make its own decisions, learn from mistakes, build on itself and more importantly have its own opinions and feelings. AI plays a large part in Sony’s plan for the future, as its main selling point is the Emotion Engine, and its supposed ability to simulate AI.
But ask yourself this: Is AI already upon us? In a way, yes. As I write this, I am witnessing a very simple form of this. Word 2000 has the ability to learn from its mistakes. For example, the first time you type “PSone” into word, it will decapitalise “S”. If you correct it a few times, it no longer does this. Word is learning that you don’t like this, and adapting. OK, let’s make a list of AI features:
1. Learn from mistakes
2. Make decisions
3. Adapt
4. Build on itself
5. Have it’s own feelings and opinions
Right then; scratch 1. What about 2? Well, decision-making routines have been in games for yonks. Let’s look at Tekken. According to its situation, Tekken will choose between high, low, hand, kick, flying, special and combo attacks whilst you are fighting. It assesses the situation then makes a decision and executes it. This is a very basic routine as don’t forget it is running on a PlayStation here, which is essentially a 66mhz. Let’s look at a higher form. In games which has multiple routes such as SSX on the PS2 or Speed Freaks on the PSone, the computer has to decide which route to take based on: Risk according to mistake parameters and advantage gained in relation to power-ups. If the computer decides to go for it, it will. Games that do not have a fixed route such as kart racers have to make very complex path finding mechanisms every second, which is a testament to modern technology. OK, decision making’s current highest level: The First Person Shooter. When we play a FPS we usually stay to a basic plan, such as: Keep moving, shoot people when opportunity arises, kill Sniper quick before he kills you, and stay near the BFG. We are constantly running these thoughts through out head and we make split-second decisions that eventually boil down to a list of commands. Forwards or back, left or right, shoot, jump or change weapon. It’s the same with a FPS AI routine. The computer assesses how many people are near, threat imposed, success probability and other things such as terrain and power-ups. It then generates commands. These routines are very sensitive however and that’s why movement can be erratic.
OK, now we’ve covered decisions, let’s look at adaptation. Adapting in videogames is also not a new thing. The PSone game Speed Freaks supposedly learnt your driving styles and adapted to your driving styles. I never really noticed this but the reviewers said they could. Essentially, this means that if the computer recognises that you aggressively barge people out of the way, it will stay away from you. If it notices you are targeting a particular character, it becomes aggressive itself. The computer analyses your actions then basically recompiles its AI routine to compensate. Therefore, each game will be different. Of course, for this to be any good you need a sophisticated piece of hardware, and this is where the nest generation console comes in. Now, I don’t know about any GameCube games with any noteworthy AI, so let’s take an upcoming PS2 title, which I think is also a PC game as well. Conflict Zone is a real time strategy much like Command and Conquer that is being developed by the Paris based firm MASA (Mathématiques Appliquées). You probably would have heard of them unless you are involved in military warfare but they are experts in AI. Early reports have shown that this game is staggeringly intelligent, and it is really noticeable. Every time you play it’s a completely new experience because the game actually adapts to the situation and changes its game plan to suit. It can predict what you are doing and counteract it. For example, if one of the troops strays into a minefield and gets killed, the unit remembers that and asks you for an alternative destination next time. Another example is you can give a set of instructions to a unit and it then begins to think for itself, carrying out your orders via the best route possible. However, if it’s a new recruit don’t expect it to last long, and more experienced commandos are less likely to attempt a stupid bravado stunt.
As for 4 and 5, well, I think at the moment we can only dream of things. An AI routine that builds on itself effectively learns new information and develops new skills. A computer that can learn is a truly outstanding achievement, as its abilities will know no limits. The ultimate AI though, is AI that thinks, AI that forms opinions, and AI that has its own opinions. If we develop a program like this we can truly say that it is alive, and imagine the fun we could have playing against that.
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As nice as it is for everyone to praise the post, I imagine that Turbonutter wouls also like for you to add something to his thread that it more relevant than merely "nice post" - I know I would!
Anyway, here's my nice post Turbonutter - now on with the show!
AI is one of those thinks that has improved so much in recent years. Look at any FPS game. How often do you think "well look at the bots on that!" They seem to be smart and have no predictable pattern.
Remember when the bad guys would just move in a set pattern? Just walk up and down until you take them out....it wasn't too many years ago, but we've moved on so much it's untrue.
I believe that Venombyte posted something regarding AI that got me thinking (and I apologise if I've credited the wrong man here) it was along these lines:
Imagine if the AI could learn from the way you, or a friend played. Imagine it could memorise the way you played, and then emulate that. You could save your gameplay style to a particular bot, and basically play against something that worked in the same way you did. Similarly you could save the way a friend played, and practise against that until the next time you got to play against him, they you'd defeat him with ease.
Sorry if I haven't done that justice!
Anyway, here's my nice post Turbonutter - now on with the show!
AI is one of those thinks that has improved so much in recent years. Look at any FPS game. How often do you think "well look at the bots on that!" They seem to be smart and have no predictable pattern.
Remember when the bad guys would just move in a set pattern? Just walk up and down until you take them out....it wasn't too many years ago, but we've moved on so much it's untrue.
I believe that Venombyte posted something regarding AI that got me thinking (and I apologise if I've credited the wrong man here) it was along these lines:
Imagine if the AI could learn from the way you, or a friend played. Imagine it could memorise the way you played, and then emulate that. You could save your gameplay style to a particular bot, and basically play against something that worked in the same way you did. Similarly you could save the way a friend played, and practise against that until the next time you got to play against him, they you'd defeat him with ease.
Sorry if I haven't done that justice!
Nice post, i liked it so much that i read it all as well...
TBN thats one hell of a post and if you dont win GAD well i dont know what ill do.
AI is a tricky thing to do, just imagine trying to make AI that will make its own decisions also what weapons too choose, what route, where are the good places for ambushing or sniping. The programming is unbelievable, who ever does AI programming I take my hat off too them. *Pulls hair by mistake* ;). Take perfect dark for example, the AI in that game on 1 player is the best I have seen on an N64 shooting game, they run when hurt or have lost their weapon, they will hide around corners and wait for you or ambush you, the AI is lurrrvvlyyy jubbleeyyy.
AI is a tricky thing to do, just imagine trying to make AI that will make its own decisions also what weapons too choose, what route, where are the good places for ambushing or sniping. The programming is unbelievable, who ever does AI programming I take my hat off too them. *Pulls hair by mistake* ;). Take perfect dark for example, the AI in that game on 1 player is the best I have seen on an N64 shooting game, they run when hurt or have lost their weapon, they will hide around corners and wait for you or ambush you, the AI is lurrrvvlyyy jubbleeyyy.
I really do honestly think way in the future Artificial intelligence robots will be used to fight man's battles while they are controlled in a few ways by a man at his computer.
AI's cool. So many possibilities with it.
AI's cool. So many possibilities with it.
Yeah, I used to have an electronic chess set. It was really crap and I could beat it at about level 50 out of 100. Just goes to show really, doesn't it?
Shocktrooper wrote:
> I'm taking a degree in A.I.
I couldn't of picked anything harder
> and more complicated.
a degree in AI, or just one of the options in your degree is AI???
Sonic
> I'm taking a degree in A.I.
I couldn't of picked anything harder
> and more complicated.
a degree in AI, or just one of the options in your degree is AI???
Sonic
Do you remember when there was an electronic chess game available from Special Reserve? I bought one of them, and I'm still on the beginner level 4!
I'm taking a degree in A.I.
I couldn't of picked anything harder and more complicated.
I couldn't of picked anything harder and more complicated.
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