Videogames and AI
I wrote a short paper some moths ago about videogames and Artificial Intelligence, reflecting on how the videogame industry conceives (and values) the AI from a point of view that is opposed to that adopted by academics in the field of computer science. I wrote it for a course in my PhD, and I have now published it here.
The main idea behind it is how videogames don’t actually use any modern AI techniques. With the exception of Black & White, no videogame uses bold technologies like machine learning, intelligent and adaptative behaviour (as opposed to scripted AI). Any decision in that industry must be accompanied by a report on its potential economic benefit in the short term. The market is so demanding and there is so much money being risked, that no company will allow the developers to boldly go where no man has gone before. That is, of course, unless those developers are Peter Molyneaux and have the capacity to guarantee success only by signing the product.
On the other hand, there is a thriving activity in AI in computer science at an academic level. Machine Learning, Computational Creativity, Case-Based Reasoning, Fuzzy Logics… All of them big words with dedicated conferences. However, videogame AI has barely evolved in the last few years. They use the old techniques better and better, but its still the same technology.
There are, however, powerful reasons for this. Will a game that includes an advanced AI system that rises its budget in 500,000US$ generate that additional revenue only because of that? The answer is, not probably. So, why bother?
Moreover, the audience must be prepared. Imagine a game with a truly complex AI with the capacity to truly surprise the player. If the AI is to innovate and dynamically change its behaviour, it won’t be possible to test that AI in depth. The QA department can’t guarantee 100% a correct behaviour because if they did so, then the AI would not be truly innovative. Will the players (the buyers) accept a scenario where the AI learns the wrong lessons and starts to degrade its behaviour to the point of needing a full reset? Will they accept having to start a game from the beginning again due to an AI glitch?
I would be willing to accept it for the sake of progress and innovation, would you?
You can read the whole paper here, although it is in Spanish.
