AI Critique:

1
AI Critique

• Dustin Kelley

2
MGS3 AI Intro

• Tactical espionage missions while avoiding elite
  Russian soldiers
• Development team underwent field training
• As a result, they were able to implement a rather
  realistic, advanced AI system

3
Some AI Techniques Used

• Patrol paths
• React to abnormal changes in the environment
• React to sight and sound
• Team tactics
• Group formations, flanking attacks
• Call for backup if comrades are nearby
• Take cover during gunfights, while edging toward
  the player
• Watch dogs

4
Be Stealthy

• Different camouflage outfits for different
  situations
• Tree bark, brick, water, etc.
• Represented by a of how hidden you are
• Higher , less chance of being seen by enemies

5
Careful, They Will Find You

• Enemies work together in groups
• They will notice anything unusual
• Suspicious sounds
• Moving grass
• Footsteps (seen or heard)
• A downed comrade
• Hide the bodies
• A missing patrol partner
• May panic and call it in

6
Huh? What was that?

• Any suspicious movements/sounds/etc will be
  investigated
• If nothing is found, two options
• Continue what he was doing before
• Call in an alert, game enters Caution mode
• More enemies may arrive to investigate further
• Enemies are even more alert than usual
• Command center does routine checkups with the
  guards over radios
• If an enemy doesnt respond (dead/unconscious),
  his position will be investigated, and sometimes
  replaced

7
Crap, they saw me!

• Once spotted, game enters Alert mode and you are
  relentlessly pursued for a short while
• Must quickly find a good hiding spot, or take on
  all of the enemies
• The area is searched heavily for a minute
• A longer Caution period follows
• If the spotting enemy is alone, he may run away
  for a moment to call for backup
• If they see where you try to hide, they may try
  to flush you out with grenades

8
When the Sh!t Hits the Fan

• A single 1-on-1 encounter can escalate into an
  all out war if backup is called
• Enemies will take cover during gunfights
• They will reposition in an attempt to move in
  closer and closer to you
• Grabbing an enemy as a human shield
• Others may hesitate to shoot you
• Difficult to find a hiding spot, they will follow
  you

9
Some Little Things

• Enemy watch dogs in some areas
• Placing a rotten food item may sometimes cause an
  enemy to eat it and become poisoned
• Hide in cardboard boxes
• Shoot out an enemys radio

10
So is it Good or Bad?

• Pros
• Advanced enemy AI
• Realistic tactics
• Cons
• Patrol paths can be predictable
• Sometimes forget about you quickly and move on as
  if nothing happened

11
Summary

• Having such an advanced AI system greatly
  improves game play
• Feeling of tension when sneaking around
• Quickly turns to panic when you are spotted
• The vast amount of detail in the AI greatly
  outweighs the minor cons