I'm not sure exactly how AI works, but I have never played any game where I was impressed by the AI.

Is AI limited when a game is a console port? Or even simply when games are multi-platform?

I haven't played Witcher 2 all the way through yet, but so far the AI doesn't seem very smart. In fact, the AI is pretty stupid because if you retreat a short distance, the monsters stop chasing you and wait for you to heal. I would have thought that since it is a PC exclusive, maybe the AI would be smarter.

Also, the AI in Civ5 seems dumber than the AI in Civ4.

Can someone educate me about this?

Short answer: No

Long Answer: A.I is just a piece of code like everything else in video games. A.I uses pathfinding algorithms to navigate the game and complete pre-determined tasks. AI programming is extremely complex because there are a lot of variables you need to use if you want to create a good AI.

For example a simple AI for a shooter would require a code that evaluates the situation and then tells the AI Character to takes action according to the results. So if the AI is supposed to be searching for the player, the code would tell the AI Character to start walking around the level using the pathfinding algorithm (so it won't bump into obstacles, etc) and then when the player enters its line of sight, or the player makes some noise that the AI character can hear then another piece of code kicks in that tells the AI to shoot at the character until he dies.

The AI programming doesn't change between a PC game and a console port, with the exception of some minor modifications that shouldn't affect the overall performance.

Consoles doesn't have anything to do with it really. Well not directly.

If the console CPU is weaker, then a PC exclusive should be able to handle a much more complex and demanding AI routine, right?

Perhaps the software side is still limited because no one has figured out how to code smart AI for games?

Or are there some games with great AI you would recommend?

The first F.E.A.R. game had great AI for the enemy soldiers. It's still great today.

I have no idea... all I know is that AI programming is extremely frustrating <_<

I've been trying to code a proper AI for a game I'm making for a couple of weeks now and I've made almost no progress whatsoever

I wouldn't think so, as it would depend on the quality of the programming behind it, not brute CPU strength.

The problem with 'smart' AI is it beats you. It beats you again and again. So it's generally a better idea to just make decent AI ( as in pretty stupid ) and increase its chances in other ways. Such as giving it free resources in RTS games, and increasing its damage output and resistance in FPS/RPGs.

Actually people are starting to create AIs that make mistakes and stuff like that. Which is really cool (and kinda scary)

So, if we aren't focusing on perfection, that means no SKYNET?

They program mistakes in to make it more believable and human. Mistakes in pathfinding are common and not programmed (intentionally) but nobody seems to like them.

That would mean the 360 is holding back PS3 AI, then?

In any case, I know practically nothing about it.

The problem with Civ5 is that when switching to hexagonal tiles and one unit per tile, the A.I. couldn't figure out how to effectively fight with these parameters, so the devs tried to compensate by nerfing the player and giving the AI ridiculous, unfair advantages to compensate. Essentially instead of tactics, the A.I. relies on cheats. I would much rather play against an enemy using intelligent tactics.

If you look at great chess simulators, they take a long time to anolyze all the possible moves and have a much more sophisticated system for choosing their moves.

Fascinating.

How is that even possible? I can't wrap my head around how you would write a program to deliberately make a mistake.

^

AI coding is EXTREMELY time consuming and intensive to the point of absolute frustration for people. One idea i've had for AI involves modeling it after the human brain, but that's about as far as i'll go into that. The most intensive AI would probably be the one for FPS since you have to tell the opponents several things.

1. Is the enemy player around
2. How to proceed when engaging an enemy player
3. Sub routine for acting during the course of combat with enemy player
4. Proceed or retreat options for losing a battle or a fleeing player.

I would say HL2 probably has the best AI i've seen so far since they aren't too willing to fall into traps and will be conscious of me trying to ambush them. As for the worst AI coding it's a variable cavalcade of options to pick since some games are just plain stupid.


Hey exorince what type of game are you working on?

Starcraft 2 has amazing AI


Squad Based FPS

Galactic Civilisations 2 and Alpha Centauri have good AI, mostly in how they react in a human way to diplomacy, and often will predict your own actions (one AI race in Gal Civ told me that he knew what I was doing moving troop transports to near his border)

:rofl: no way.