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Chapter 8Looking Smart

maximizing perception of intelligence

Reference: Game Development Essentials Game Artificial Intelligence

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Key Chapter Questions■ What are two types of cues that can be used to make the “intelligence” of the

AI apparent (visible or audible) to the player?

■ What are three techniques for optimizing the AI that preserve the player’s

perception of the AI’s intelligence?

■ What types of behaviors cause the AI to appear mechanical, rather than

intelligent, to the player?

■ When should cues be used to simulate an intelligent behavior, instead of

creating an AI system to perform the behavior?

■ Varied strategic choices indicate intelligence to the player. Why may the AI

appear less intelligent if it always chooses the best strategy?

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The ELIZA Effect

■ make the AI visible to the player

■ only implement AI that the player can detect

■ avoid behaviors that appear mechanical

■ show the player AI that makes choices

■ give the player reason to see more than is really there

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Make the AI Visible

Brute Force Perfect Dark Zero

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Eliminate Invisible AI Activity

• Game Performance Efficiency• 100 Percent Optimization• Partial Optimizations

• Game Development Efficiency

Command & Conquer: Generals

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Avoid BehaviorThat Looks Mechanical

The Red Alert 2 tesla trooper uses a series of tongue-in-cheek responses to demonstrate personality and style to the player.

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Provide AI That Makes Choices

• Provide Multiple Options

• Minimize Random Behavior

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Half-Life 2

Provide AI That Makes ChoicesProvide Strategic Choices

Define Multiple Strategies

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Provide AI That Makes ChoicesProvide Strategic Choices

Implement the Strategies

Free-form skirmish battles in Command & Conquer: Generals require the creation of a strategic AI system to control the enemy units. The linear nature of Perfect Dark Zero allows strategic behaviors to be scripted by a level designer.

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Medal of Honor:

Pacific AssaultHalf-Life 2

Provide AI That Makes ChoicesProvide Strategic Choices

Choosing a StrategyDesigner-Scripted Choice

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Civilization IVThe Lord of the Rings:

The Battle for Middle-Earth

Provide AI That Makes ChoicesProvide Strategic Choices

Choosing a StrategyProgrammed Choice

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Use Cues That Imply Intelligence

• Scripting• Simple Systems• Implying an AI Behavior