AI and Games

Ludomotion's 2017 dungeon crawler 'Unexplored' has one of the most unique procedural level generation systems out there. It doesn't generate levels, it creates cycles of gameplay it wants the player to experience and then converts that into a playable dungeon. [00:00] Intro [01:08] Cycles in Level Design [02:53] Cyclic Generation [05:25] Cycles Within Cycles [07:19] From Cycles to Dungeons [11:54] Unexplored 2 You can find out more about Cyclic Generation via the links below: https://ctrl500.com/tech/handcrafted-feel-dungeon-generation-unexplored-explores-cyclic-dungeon-generation/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA6PacEZX9M&ab_channel=BUasGames Plus you can read the chapter dedicated to cyclic generation in the 'Procedural Generation for Game Design' book. https://www.routledge.com/Procedural-Generation-in-Game-Design/Short-Adams/p/book/9781498799195 Unexplored is available on PC and consoles: - PC (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/506870/Unexplored/ - Xbox: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/unexplored-unlocked-edition/bqcbwn0vwpmq - PS4: https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP8925-CUSA11311_00-NEPHILIMDIGERATI - Switch: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Unexplored-1406598.html Unexplored 2 has an expected release date of 2021, here's some info: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/unexplored-2/home Plus you can find Joris Dorman's blog on Gamasutra detailing updates to the sequel: https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/author/JorisDormans/604407/ -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shi

The state of videogame discourse continues to erode with every major AAA release. It's the result of a broken system that inhibits players, fans, and aspiring developers from learning more about the industry. And in this episode, I want to explore where the points of failure lie and the issues that manifest. For reference: all footage of Cyberpunk 2077 is recorded on an Xbox One. All music in this episode is by TeknoAxe: http://www.teknoaxe.com Design Dive is the video essay series on video game development and design that is part of the AI and Games YouTube channel. [00:00] Introduction [01:28] Breakdown in Communication [05:26] Understanding Game Development [07:53] Access to Knowledge [13:15] Simplified Marketing [17:31] Press, Pundits & Propaganda [25:48] The End Result [29:05] Moving Forward [31:07] Still Hopeful -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for livestreams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames #Discourse #Gamers

The past year has not been an easy one and for many of us, videogames have been a mechanism to support our mental health and social interactions. I share some of my experiences, but what have been the games that have helped you get through the past 12 months? For everyone wondering about my second channel, Smoke & Mirrors, that's dedicated to short reviews of games I'm playing with new episodes release early to Patreon supporters. You can check it out at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFiZI2f2E43t3KERLew_TBg -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join [00:00] Intro [02:36] Finding the Fun [03:59] Tackling the Backlog [06:59] Survival Through Perseverance [08:47] Switch Off the Brain [09:21] Trying Something new [11:46] Couch Co-op [13:13] Social Online Multiplayer [16:56] The Sense of Exploration [20:08] Closing All tracks (in order of appearance) by TeknoAxe: http://www.teknoaxe.com 'Dystopian Paradise' 'Lost in the Groove' 'The Infinite' 'The End of Summer According to Sprites' -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for live streams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames

How do you design culture? How would you get a procedural generator to design it in a video game? And do you think you could dedicate 10 years of your life to making it happen? Tommy explores the inner workings of the roguelike 'Ultima Ratio Regum' and how it builds everything from religious and political ideologies all the way down to the carvings on the chairs in peoples homes. We explore not just how the game's systems work, but go into more detail on the origins and ongoing development of the project with help from URR's creator Dr. Mark Johnson. For those keen to find out more about URR, download the game or check out Mark's research in eSports and live streaming, be sure to visit his website: https://www.markrjohnsongames.com [00:00​] Intro [01:39​] What is Ultima Ratio Regum? [07:12​] Early Beginnings [12:45​] How Does URR Work? [18:21​] Maintaining Diversity [23:24​] Connections [26:27​] Scaling-Up [29:40​] Reflections [38:08​] Lessons Learned [42:36​] Closing -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for livestreams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames

Gears Tactics combines the turn-based strategy of XCOM with the chaos and intensity of the Gears of War series. But sometimes it becomes a little difficult to keep your eye on the action. In this episode of AI and Games we explore the Tactical Planner system in Gears Tactics that helps achieve what developers Splash Damage and The Coalition refer to as 'Tactical Clarity': a design philosophy that ensures players can easily follow the action as it happens. This episode is inspired by the talk "Make It Fast: Simultaneous AI Actions in Gears Tactics" delivered at Unreal Fest 2020 by Matthias Siemonsmeier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzR-vetCLYA [00:00] Intro [01:43] Coordinating Enemy Strategy [03:28] Tactical Clarity [04:50] Locust AI [06:20] The Tactical Planner [09:43] Co-operation [11:57] Execution and Interrupts [13:31] Closing Music in this episode is from the Gears Tactics sound by Edward Patrick White. Tracklist in order of appearance: "Civilians" "Trails" "COG1" "Snafu" "Main Menu Theme" "The Wrong Gear" -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for livestreams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames #GearsOfWar #GearsTactics #GameDev

Drivatar, the system that powers AI racers in the Forza franchise to drive just like you and your friends, is one of the longest-running applications of machine learning in the video games industry. But how does it actually work? We crack open the bonnet to find out what makes this engine tick and how it creates a social experience for Xbox players in both the Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon titles. This episode is inspired by the following sources: - Microsoft Research's pages on Drivatar (now dead) http://web.archive.org/web/20140208083127/http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/drivatar/forza.aspx - Jeffrey Schlimmer's 2015 talk at the nucl.ai conference: "Drivatar and Machine Learning Racing Skills in the Forza Series" - The following interviews with creative director Dan Greenawalt: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/09/war-stories-how-forza-learned-to-love-neural-nets-to-train-ai-drivers/ https://www.wired.com/2014/09/forza-horizon-2-drivatars/ https://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/meet-man-behind-forza-motorsport https://web.archive.org/web/20070314015129/https://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass36-2.htm https://venturebeat.com/2013/11/06/how-microsofts-turn-10-fashioned-the-ai-for-cars-in-forza-motorsport-5-interview/ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/sep/06/forza-4-interview https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-making-of-forza-horizon Chapters [00:00] Intro [00:50] What is a Drivatar? [02:03] The Challenge of Racing AI [05:22] Forza Physics [09:01] The Original Drivatar [13:30] Drivatar v2.0 [18:21] Designer Modifications [20:33] Hacks & Tweaks [22:27] Closing -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com

With over 100 games submitted and close to 1000 participants, the inaugural AI and Games game jam has vastly exceeded my expectations. To celebrate the occasion and thank everyone for participating, here is my summary. Including my favourite games submitted to the jam. Thanks to everyone who signed up, submitted a game, rated, or just joined in the fun! You can check out the full list of submissions over at: https://itch.io/jam/aiandgames-2021 [00:00] Intro [02:29] Public Vote Winner: 'Breaking the Rule' - https://ximmersion.itch.io/break-the-rule [03:06] Hamlet - https://qwertyuiop888.itch.io/hamlet [03:45] Dummy Fight - https://ahmetahaydemir.itch.io/dummy-fight [04:24] Aquatic Deceptions - https://rodellison.itch.io/aquatic-deceptions [05:12] A.N.G.E.R. - https://hellman.itch.io/anger [05:52] Grid Wars - https://cavemanlabs.itch.io/grid-wars [06:26] Sand Flag - https://peacefield.itch.io/sand-flag [07:22] Eye of the Big Brother - https://celmer89.itch.io/eye-of-the-big-brother [08:02] Wendell Tank - https://chase-of-bass.itch.io/wendell-tank [08:52] Inhabitants of the Fir Forest - https://stefanocagnani90.itch.io/inhabitants-of-the-fir-forest [09:37] Crime Bots - https://cashgarman.itch.io/crimebots [10:39] Break the Sky - https://sambigos.itch.io/break-the-sky [11:48] Wave Function Cat Labs - https://qu0d0.itch.io/wave-function-cat-labs [12:46] Tic Tac Robot - https://jean-marc-studio-jms.itch.io/tic-tac-robot [13:53] Closing -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for livestreams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discor

Support AI and Games on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games -- Design Dive returns to take a look at the recent releases in the Monster Hunter franchise. What is it about this series that makes it so appealing? Smashing big weapons into even bigger monsters of course! [00:00] Intro [01:52] The Core Loop [04:14] Monster Design [10:00] How Monster Hunter: World Build's Immersion [15:28] The Combat Focus of Monster Hunter Rise [19:11] Closing -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for live streams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames

Support AI and Games on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games -- The recent release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition is one of the most high profile cases of AI being used to upscale game art for higher resolutions. In this episode, we take a look at the tech that makes it a reality and the modding communities that have pioneered this new approach to remastering games. [00:00] Intro [01:07] Graphics in Games [06:30] This Sounds Like DLSS? [08:08] How Texture Upscaling Works [12:03] Modding with AI [15:45] AAA Super Resolution [18:44] Closing If you want to learn more about what's covered in this episode, check out these links: - Learn more about super-resolution (and more) over at @Two Minute Papers - Check out the game upscaling subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/GameUpscale - Learn more about ESRGANs and grab the codebase: https://esrgan.readthedocs.io - DOOM Neural Upscale 2X: https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/99021-doom-neural-upscale-2x-v-10/ - Max Payne Remastered: https://www.moddb.com/games/max-payne/addons/max-payne-remastered - Dolphin Texture Mods: https://github.com/rapka/dolphin-textures - Deus Ex New Vision 2.0: https://www.moddb.com/mods/new-vision/news/new-vision-20a - Morrowind Enhanced Texture Mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46221?tab=description -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for live streams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgam

Support AI and Games on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games -- Back in 2019 Nvidia unveiled DLSS: an AI-powered technology for boosting the output of their graphical processing units (GPUs) for gaming PCs. But what on earth is it? How does it work? We take a look and explore its function, continued evolution and market competition. [00:00] Introduction [01:19] Why Do We Need DLSS? [05:42] Texture Super Resolution [06:40] How Does It Work? [12:29] Competition from AMD [14:23] Closing -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandGames Join me for live streams over on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/aiandgames Join our Discord Community: bit.ly/AIandGamesDiscord Get yourself an AI and Games t-shirt over on Teespring! https://teespring.com/stores/aiandgames #NvidiaRTX #DLSS #DeepLearning

Support AI and Games on Patreon to get your name in the credits, early-access and more: http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games -- Sometimes the AI in a videogame has lots of perfectly valid actions it can take, but deciding which one can be quite difficult. Utility AI is one approach to help solve it, by calculating how useful that action is based on the current context. We look at how it works, some simple calculations and how games ranging from @Electronic Arts's 'The Sims', all the way to @Creative Assembly's 'Total War' series, adopt Utility AI in their games. [00:00] Intro [01:02] Why do we need Utility AI? [04:21] Calculating Utility [06:39] Utility AI in AAA Games [14:46] Closing If you're interested in learning more about Utility AI, check out these reading materials and related links: "An Introduction to Utility AI Theory" - Game AI Pro v2 http://www.gameaipro.com/GameAIPro/GameAIPro_Chapter09_An_Introduction_to_Utility_Theory.pdf "Behavior Decision System: Dragon Age Inquisition’s Utility Scoring Architecture" - Game AI Pro v3 http://www.gameaipro.com/GameAIPro3/GameAIPro3_Chapter31_Behavior_Decision_System_Dragon_Age_Inquisition%E2%80%99s_Utility_Scoring_Architecture.pdf "Intrigue & Betrayal: Diplomacy AI in Total War Three Kingdoms", Csaba Toth and Duygu Cakmak, GDC 2021 "Analysing AI Behaviour in Total War | Creative Assembly and BAFTA Games", Csaba Toth and Duygu Cakmak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NM78eM_yME&ab_channel=CreativeAssembly All music in this video is from TeknoAxe http://www.teknoaxe.com -- AI and Games is a YouTube series on research and applications of Artificial Intelligence in video games. It's supported through and wouldn't be possible without the wonderful people who support it via Patreon and YouTube memberships. http://www.patreon.com/ai_and_games https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov_51F0betb6hJ6Gumxg3Q/join -- You can follow AI and Games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AIandG