Introduction to AI Role Playing Game RPG

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Introduction to AI Role Playing Game (RPG)
2
Agenda

• History
• Types of RPGs
• AI in RPGs
• Common AI elements
• AI techniques
• RPG Making tool RPG Maker XP
• RPG AI Improvement

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What is AI?

• Artificial Intelligence
• the science and engineering of making
  intelligent machines
• Refer to intelligence as exhibited by an
  artificial (man-made, non-natural, manufactured)
  entity
• Research in AI is concerned with producing
  machines to automate tasks requiring intelligent
  behavior.
• Examples include control, planning and
  scheduling, the ability to answer diagnostic and
  consumer questions, handwriting, natural
  language, speech and facial recognition.

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What is RPG?

• A role-playing game (RPG, often roleplaying game)
  is a type of game in which the participants
  assume the roles of fictional characters and
  collaboratively create or follow stories.
• Example
• Final Fantasy, Diablo, The Elder Scrolls IV, etc.

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History

• Text based RPGs
• Computer RPGs
• The first commercially available role-playing
  game Dungeons Dragons
• AI controlled the enemy final attack decision
• Graphical RPGs
• Console RPGs
• Real-time combat based because more
  action-oriented input controllers

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Text based RPG
NetHack http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nethack
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Action RPG

• An action role-playing game or Action RPG is a
  type of computer and console role-playing game
  which requires quick action or reflexes from the
  player. So-called "Diablo clones" are also part
  of this genre.
• Ex. Diablo, Dungeon Siege, etc.

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Action RPG
http//www.diablo.phx.pl/Grafika/screeny/mody
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Turn-based RPG
http//www.mobygames.com/game/windows/final-fantas
y-vii/screenshots/gameShotId,11754/
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MMORPG

• MMORPG
• Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
  (MMORPG) is a genre of online computer
  role-playing games (RPGs) in which a large number
  of players interact with one another in a virtual
  world.
• distinguished from single-player or small
  multi-player RPGs
• number of players
• game's persistent world
• Ex. Neverwinter Nights, World of Warcraft

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AI in RPGs

• RPGs are fairly AI intensive
• Varying types of gameplay
• Puzzles, combat, crafting, types of travel etc.
• Many hours of game experience
• 20-40 hours of gameplay for home computer
• 40 hours of gameplay for Console

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Common AI elements

• Enemies
• An almost endless supply for the player
• Provide level points, money, items
• Behavior patterns
• Statistical AI (monsters database)
• Complex behavior patterns
• Running away
• Healing themselves
• Fighting in groups

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Common AI elements

• Bosses
• Monster leaders
• Increased life point, skill, power, brain
• Bosses are usually heavily scripted
• The AI needs to include use of the dialogue
  system for the game

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Common AI elements

• Nonplayer Characters (NPCs)
• Computer player in the game that the human player
  can interact with in ways other than combat
• Provide information or story advancement
• Grammar systems
• Not very intelligent

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Common AI elements

• Shopkeepers
• Special NPCs who do business with the player
• Have extended interfaces
• Have a notion about the player attitude that
  affects the shopkeepers dialogue, prices, and
  items.

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Common AI elements

• Party Members
• Members of the players adventuring party
  (special NPCs)
• Simple AI on Party members but allow the player
  to customize the scripting system
• Use pathfinding in real time combat

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AI techniques

• Scripting
• Computer programming languages that are typically
  interpreted and can be typed directly from a
  keyboard.
• Common technique to improve the AI system without
  hiring more programmers
• Programs are converted permanently into binary
  executable files
• Scripts remain in their original form and are
  interpreted command-by-command each time they are
  run.

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AI techniques

• Scripting
• Most RPGs are linear (objectives of the game must
  be completed in a fixed sequence) or at most
  branching linear
• In game,
• Dialogue Flow
• Stage Direction
• Game event flags
• NPC behavior
• AI Logic

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AI techniques

• Scripting
• Pros
• Save time and increase productivity
• Increase creativity
• Provide extensibility
• Cons
• Require scripting learning time
• Scripted code slower than binary

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Scripting

• IF
• //If my nearest enemy is not within 3
• !Range(NearestEnemyOf(Myself),3)
• //and is within 8
• Range(NearestEnemyOf(Myself),8)
• THEN
• // 1/3 of the time
• RESPONSE 40
• //Equip my best melee weapon
• EquipMostDamagingMelee() //and attack my nearest
  enemy, checking every 60 ticks to make sure he is
  still the nearest
• AttackReevaluate(NearestEnemyOf(Myself),60)
• // 2/3 of the time
• RESPONSE 80
• //Equip a ranged weapon
• EquipRanged() //and attack my nearest enemy,
  checking every 30 ticks to make sure he is still
  the nearest
• AttackReevaluate(NearestEnemyOf(Myself),30)
• END
• / Sample Warrior AI User Defined Script from
  Baldurs Gate

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AI techniques

• Finite-State Machine (FSMs)
• Split the game into explicit states

http//www.programmingbasics.org/en/fsm.html
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FSM
http//www.programmingbasics.org/en/fsm.html
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AI techniques

• Messaging
• Messaging system
• Parse information between party members,
  facilitate group combat or dialogue

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Messaging
Living World
Combat World
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RPG Maker XP

• RPG game making tool
• XP version includes Scripting function Ruby Game
  Scripting System (RGSS)

http//www.enterbrain.co.jp/tkool/RPG_XP/eng/
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RPG Maker XP
http//www.enterbrain.co.jp/tkool/RPG_XP/eng/
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RPG Maker XP

• Demonstration
• http//www.phylomortis.com/html/rgss.html

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RPGs AI Improvement

• AI Storyteller
• A series of events with multiple variables, and a
  "pacing manager" that ensures the story remains
  interesting throughout the game.
• Create dynamic game story to satisfy the player
• Ex. Dramatic story, happy ending, etc.

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Fully Realized Towns
• Breathing town would make the game world much
  more interesting and immersive

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Human-like NPCs (NPCs with memory)
• More intelligent NPCs reacting with the
  situations in RPG world
• Have daily routines (life cycle)
• Use need-base system with need pathfinding
• Ex. Zelda, Utima V, Obivion, etc.

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Enemies with better combat tactics
• Baiting the player
• Stepping-stone pathfinding
• Fighting in groups

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Role-playing Does Not Equal Combat
• Creating content or quests doesnt involve
  killing for nonlethal classes
• Ex.
• Harvest Moon
• to plant seeds to grow fruits and vegetables in
  different seasons
• to balance the character physical resources

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Grammar Machines (GMs)
• Better conversation engines
• Dynamic NPCs text responding
• Utilize speech recognition software
• Allow the user to really ask questions
• Ex.
• Utima keyword system

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Quest Generators
• More varied and long lasting gameplay situation
• Generate quests according to the players interest
• Use ad-lib system to generate unique quests or
  add new content

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RPGs AI Improvement

• Better Party Member AI
• The character can keep track of the often player
  actions when fighting and using items
• Learning by imitation
• Party members script editor

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