Gameplay and AI

**Fragony** · 12-11-2007, 16:31

Originally Posted by TinCow

I think the best way to create an AI is to consider an fundamentally important part of the design of the game from the very first step. Every addition to the game should be accompanied by the question, "Can the AI handle this rule?" If the answer is yes, it is included in the game. If the answer is no, it is not. That will certainly result in less complex games, but I think it would result in an overall improvement in gaming entertainment.

Take FEAR, the AI is just about flawless because of just that. Leveldesign is wrapped around the (impressive) skills of the AI, saves an otherwise soso title. AI is the most important aspect of an excellent shooter imho.

**Husar** · 12-11-2007, 17:52

There are also concerns like system requirements, an awesome AI would use a lot of CPU power, maybe multi cores can help with that in the future as you can have one or two cores just to calculate complicated AI routines.

**Fragony** · 12-11-2007, 18:00

Originally Posted by Husar

There are also concerns like system requirements, an awesome AI would use a lot of CPU power, maybe multi cores can help with that in the future as you can have one or two cores just to calculate complicated AI routines.

How old are Half-Life and No One Lives Forever (best shooter ever made by the way)? These games are technically ancient but have better AI then 99% of the other shooters even today, FEAR and Halo top them, and that's it. I think it just asks for some more dedication, nobody would ever say Half-life and NOLF were underdeveloped when it comes to other aspects.

**Bob the Insane** · 12-11-2007, 23:02

We also have to recognise that horror of the modern games industry...

Making things easier...

Even if they could produce an FPS AI that would be practically identical to playing MP against living opponents without the human error, would that be fun?

I recall Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield playing MP co-op against the AI on Hard... All the R6 guys were human and all thr tangos AI...

They would kick our collective butts round after round...

I doubt that would occur in newer games...

**TinCow** · 12-11-2007, 23:30

Originally Posted by Bob the Insane

I doubt that would occur in newer games...

That's true. There seems to be a tendency towards skipping AI altogether and substituting a human opponent. That is, of course, a wonderful thing since I have never seen any AI ever that is more fun to play against than a human. However, the game companies have to make that multiplayer ability easy to use and fun to play. I wouldn't be anywhere near as annoyed with the TW AI if it was possible to play the Grand Campaign against a human opponent in a convenient manner and with the ability to fight battles. Hotseat does not even really qualify as multiplayer in my book.

**Husar** · 12-12-2007, 02:56

I actually had strategic AI in mind Frag, shooters are somewhat easier I think unless you want the AI to use dynamic objects as cover etc which may be a bit harder but not impossible.
Concerning those Rainbow games, I remember coming in behind some guy who was some 30 meters away and in the moment I sneaked around the corner he turned and headshot me, that's an aimbot, not an AI.

**Fragony** · 12-12-2007, 09:48

Originally Posted by Bob the Insane

We also have to recognise that horror of the modern games industry...

Making things easier...

Even if they could produce an FPS AI that would be practically identical to playing MP against living opponents without the human error, would that be fun?

I recall Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield playing MP co-op against the AI on Hard... All the R6 guys were human and all thr tangos AI...

They would kick our collective butts round after round...

I doubt that would occur in newer games...

AI cheats, they always score a headshot.