AI in Computer Gaming: The first person shooter

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AI in Computer GamingThe first person shooter

• Tyler Hulburd

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Brief History

• Games that featured a single player mode with
  enemies started appearing in the 1970s.
• Enemy movement was based on stored patterns.
• The idea was perfected with Space Invaders
  (1978), sporting an increasing difficulty level,
  distinct movement patterns, and in-game events
  dependent on hash functions based on the player's
  input.
• The incorporation of microprocessors would allow
  more computation and random elements overlaid
  into movement patterns.
• The emergence of new game genres in the 1990s
  prompted the use of formal AI tools like finite
  state machines.
• Later games have used nondeterministic AI
  methods, ranging from the first use of neural
  networks in a videogame in Battlecruiser 3000AD
  (1996), to the emergent behavior and evaluation
  of player actions in games like Creatures or
  Black White.

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Far Cry (2004)

• Far Cry exhibited very advanced AI for its time.
  The enemies would react to the player's playing
  style and try to surround him when possible. They
  would also use real life military tactics to try
  and beat the player. The enemies did not have
  "cheating" AI, in the sense that they did not
  always know exactly where the player is all the
  time. They would remember his last known position
  and work from there.

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Half Life 2 (2004)

• In Half Life 2 enemies are more alert to the
  presence of the player and take cover when
  injured. Allies follow the player and help fight
  against enemies. When engaging enemies, instead
  of always remaining in place until either the
  target or they themselves died, allies will
  disengage when the player moves on. Half-Life 2
  also has group commands for ordering allies
  around.

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Halo 3 (2007)

• Uses some new AI approaches such as enemies
  getting scared and fleeing a battle. Also some
  enemies will actively try to commit suicide and
  take the player out at the same time. Enemies
  could drive vehicles that could also transport
  other enemies (enemy players use teamwork).

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Things to come

• NPCs that learn..
• As AI in games continues to improve npcs are
  able to learn from the players behavior and adapt
  accordingly. For example, the npc could mimic
  the players behavior or choose a different
  strategy to counter it.

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Questions?