AI for Gameplay & Storytelling

AI for Gameplay & Storytelling

Aaron Thibault

The Guildhall @ SMU

IC2 Institute @ UT
-
Austin

University XXI “Digital Warrior”

3 Big Topics

•
Artificial Intelligence

•
Gameplay

•
Storytelling

•
Philosophy

•
Interactivity

•
Messaging

•
Learning

•
Feedback Loops

•
Environments

•
Systems

•
Choices

•
Survival

6 X

9 X

12 X

3 X

Story

•
Genre

•
Theme

•
Plot

•
Subplots

•
Turning Points

•
Conflict and Resolution

AI Topics

•
Decision Support Systems

•
Language
&

Talkbots

•
Cybernetics: Sensors…

•
Behavior & Abstractions

•
Movement / “Pathfinding”

•
Simulation & Economics

•
Planning

AI 101

•
The Turing Test

•
Expert Systems

•
Finite State Machines

•
Neural Nets

•
Bayesian Networks (Probability Analysis)

•
Speech Analysis & Synthesis

•
Cellular Automata & Emergence (Fractals)



Start with Meaning

Information Versus Events

Semantic Representations

Knowledge Management

Objects, Actions and
Abstractions

Turing

I propose to consider the question "Can
machines think?" This should begin with
definitions of the meaning of the terms
"machine" and "think."


Some Tools to Kill Repetitiveness

•
Randomness

–
Absolute

–
Weighted

–
Combinatory

•
Large Possibility Space

•
Design Scope

•
Clever, Open
-
Ended Tools

Meaningful Choices

•
Uncertainty & Information

•
Application of Knowledge

•
Integrated Decision Points

•
Consequences

Some Games

•
Fable:
http://lionhead.com/index2.html


•
SWG, Rogue:
http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/rog
ue
-
the
-
adventure
-
game/screenshots


•
Grim Fandango

•
Neverwinter Nights

•
Sim City, Civ III

•
Unreal Series / UE2…

Powerful Choices

Learning Topics

•
Observation

•
Mimicry

•
Application

•
Synthesis

•
Demonstration

•
Reflection


•
Embedded Training

•
Genetic Algorithms

•
Andragogy

•
Relationships &
Rationalization

Interactive Storytelling Projects

•
Façade:

http://www.quvu.net/interactivestory.net/#facade


•
Liquid Narratives

http://liquidnarrative.csc.ncsu.edu/




New Tech Stuff

•
PS3 Cell (Grid) Tech

•
Distributed / Networked Processes

•
Late Binding

•
Fast High Level Languages

•
Structured Data / Modular Code

•
64 bits and big, fast hard drives = good!


Resources

•
GameAI.net

•
BrainFrameNWN (tool from SimBionic)

•
Generation5.org

•
IGDA AI SIG

•
NERO Project: nerogame.org