A.I. in Video GamesA.I. in Video GamesRole-Playing Games (RPG)Role-Playing Games (RPG)

Jason RobinsonJason Robinson

What is a RPGWhat is a RPG

A rocket propelled grenade, commonly A rocket propelled grenade, commonly used against enemy armored vehicles in used against enemy armored vehicles in the military. Not today’s topic.the military. Not today’s topic.

A game in which the participants assume A game in which the participants assume the roll of fictional characters and the roll of fictional characters and collaboratively create or follow a story line.collaboratively create or follow a story line.

RPG ExampleRPG ExampleWorld of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft

AI in RPGsAI in RPGs

AI is a semi-rare element in most RPGsAI is a semi-rare element in most RPGsMost events are scripted (logic)Most events are scripted (logic)Human interaction generally has minimal Human interaction generally has minimal

effect on Non-player character (NPC) effect on Non-player character (NPC) actions.actions.

Example: Example: WoWWoW Raid Encounter Raid Encounter

Massively Multiplayer Online RPGsMassively Multiplayer Online RPGs

MMO RPGs require even less AI than MMO RPGs require even less AI than single-player RPGssingle-player RPGs

Human players are the natural intelligence Human players are the natural intelligence which takes the place of AIwhich takes the place of AI

In today’s game market, the focus is very In today’s game market, the focus is very heavy on multiplayer, so AI is fading more heavy on multiplayer, so AI is fading more and more from these gamesand more from these games

HCI in RPGsHCI in RPGs

Human-Computer Interaction is the driving Human-Computer Interaction is the driving element in most RPGselement in most RPGs

Most RPGs allow interaction through a Most RPGs allow interaction through a User Interface (text or graphical)User Interface (text or graphical)

Most RPGs use an event-driven scheme Most RPGs use an event-driven scheme for HCIfor HCIEx. You cast a spell at an enemy, which Ex. You cast a spell at an enemy, which

causes the enemy to retaliatecauses the enemy to retaliate

HCI ElementsHCI Elements

ChannelsChannelsAudioAudioVisualVisualTactileTactile

DynamicsDynamicsRange of message intensityRange of message intensity

Scope and complexity of implemented Scope and complexity of implemented featuresfeatures

EnvironmentEnvironment The environment is the The environment is the

medium to communicate medium to communicate to the world and other to the world and other playersplayers

Players can use an array Players can use an array of elements to of elements to communicate, such as communicate, such as visual gestures, textual visual gestures, textual chat, or auditory notions.chat, or auditory notions.

Of course, throwing a Of course, throwing a fireball in someone’s face fireball in someone’s face is a good form of is a good form of communication as wellcommunication as well

Language-based CommunicationLanguage-based Communication

Of all the communication means, Of all the communication means, language-based communication is the language-based communication is the most widely used in RPGsmost widely used in RPGs

In single player, you talk to NPCs to obtain In single player, you talk to NPCs to obtain quests and further understand of the story quests and further understand of the story line.line.

In multiplayer, you talk to NPCs as well as In multiplayer, you talk to NPCs as well as other players to achieve common goalsother players to achieve common goals