If you look at past polls at http://www.gameai.com you''ll find that more and more companies are having at least one dedicated AI programmer for each project. If there are any games still in production which don''t consider that AI need be sophisticated, well designed or a large part of the project then I guarentee they are heading towards failure. Good AI has always been important for gameplay and is becoming increasingly visible in modern games. Daikatana being a recent failure due, in part, to ridiculous bad AI.

Mike

quote: Original post by MikeD

If you look at past polls at http://www.gameai.com you''ll find that more and more companies are having at least one dedicated AI programmer for each project. If there are any games still in production which don''t consider that AI need be sophisticated, well designed or a large part of the project then I guarentee they are heading towards failure. Good AI has always been important for gameplay and is becoming increasingly visible in modern games. Daikatana being a recent failure due, in part, to ridiculous bad AI.

Mike

To compliment and confirm what MikeD is saying, my collegues (Steve Woodcock and Neil Kirby) and I have been polling attendees at the GDC AI Roundtables we have moderated for the last 5 conferences, on this very topic. There is no question, that a clear trend has emerged, such that a dedicated AI programmer is present on many more "commercial" game development projects.

And as a person who makes his living as a "Computer Game AI Consultant", I can also add, that in recent years, it is getting easier and easier to find projects for me to work on, in which an AI Specialist is desired.

Eric

What level of experience do you need to get into AI consultation?
What does it involve?
Do you talk to AI programmers at various companies and tell them what to do or is it more of a freelance AI programming position?

Mike

quote: Original post by MikeD

What level of experience do you need to get into AI consultation?
What does it involve?
Do you talk to AI programmers at various companies and tell them what to do or is it more of a freelance AI programming position?

Mike

There is no "defined" level of experience, just like with any consulting position. If you have sufficient experience, skill, talent and can market yourself, as far as this client is concerned, then you get the contract. Even if you have zero AI experience, and yet you can convince the client that you can do the job, then you can usually get the contract.

As far as what is involved as an AI consultant, I typically
consult with the game designer at the start of the project, and develop an AI design compatible with the game''s design, as well as provide guidence (relative to AI capabilities) for the game''s
design, and if there is no in-house programmer to develop the AI, then I can provide AI programming services as well. In some projects, I''ve only consulted or designed. In other projects I''ve done everything related to AI. It all depends on what the client wants, needs and is willing to pay for.

Eric

Talking of pay, I''m thinking of going to work in the States in about a year and a bit from now. What kind of pay could you expect for someone with a BSc and an MSc in AI and three years professional programming experience.

Ball park figures fine.

I just wanted to compare with Englands pay rates.

Mike

quote: Original post by MikeD

Talking of pay, I''m thinking of going to work in the States in about a year and a bit from now. What kind of pay could you expect for someone with a BSc and an MSc in AI and three years professional programming experience.

Ball park figures fine.

I just wanted to compare with Englands pay rates.

Mike

With respect to pay, there are no standards of pay in the USA, for AI consultants, that "one could expect" with experience such-and-such or so-and-so. You get what you contract for.

My philosophy is to ask for as much money as you can UP FRONT, and take want you can live with, to get the contract.

Good luck,

Eric