Greetings All: Well, the results of the August AI Survivor Poll are in, and it looks like Enemy Nations came out the winner. I honestly expected more Dark Reign and/or AOE fans to defend their faves, but EN definitely is no slouch in the AI department. Congratulations, Windward Studios and AI programmer Eric Dybsand. September brings a new poll, this one suggested by one of the Game AI Page regulars: AI Programmers: Special Skills or Typical Developers? Are there any special skills required to make a really *good* AI programmer? Not sure what the overall response on this one is going to be, but it''ll be interesting to find out.....if you''d like to vote, visit the link below! -- Steven Woodcock From the High Mountains of Colorado http://www.gameai.com

Sorry, dunno enough for the current poll, but...

As far as last months goes, I couldn''t vote for AoE, even though it''s one of my favorite games, because to put it simply, the AI sucks

Special skillZ or typical developer ?
years ago I would have said, typical developer, but the fact is that now I have more experience, and I simply don''t believe there is a "typical" developer. There are good coders that are versatile, and people who just chose Computing because it''s the way to go and havn''t a clue but still can do their job.

For me, I would say you definetely need to expand your horizon beyond Comuting if you want to specialize in any specific type of programming. I can''t remember the person who said that a Game programmer is like a Rennaissance artist, a Jack of all trades kind of guy, that need to not only know how to code, but also know a bit of everything (art, music, design, etc).
For a AI programmer (which I don''t consider being yet), I would say you''ve got to know Maths (not Algebra or Geometry, but more Logic stuff) of course, but also some Biology can be an invaluable advantage, and should I mention Neurology. Because after all, isn''t AI just trying to simulate a brain ?
Other than that, I can''t think of something specific right now. I''ll add if it comes up.

youpla :-P

ps : I never heard of Enemy Nations... I''ll have to check it out.

quote: Original post by Peon

Sorry, dunno enough for the current poll, but...

As far as last months goes, I couldn''t vote for AoE, even though it''s one of my favorite games, because to put it simply, the AI sucks

There were times when it amazed me (such as its placing of troops to cover chokeponts, especially in Age of Kings, and other times when I would beat my head on the computer desk (every single time I had to remind a farmer to actually farm). I love all the AOE games (and will pick up the new expansion pack here shortly), but I do wish they allowed more strategy.




Ferretman

ferretman@gameai.com
http://www.gameai.com
From the High Mountains of Colorado

quote: Original post by ahw

For me, I would say you definetely need to expand your horizon beyond Comuting if you want to specialize in any specific type of programming. I can''t remember the person who said that a Game programmer is like a Rennaissance artist, a Jack of all trades kind of guy, that need to not only know how to code, but also know a bit of everything (art, music, design, etc).
For a AI programmer (which I don''t consider being yet), I would say you''ve got to know Maths (not Algebra or Geometry, but more Logic stuff) of course, but also some Biology can be an invaluable advantage, and should I mention Neurology. Because after all, isn''t AI just trying to simulate a brain ?
Other than that, I can''t think of something specific right now. I''ll add if it comes up.

Agreed. I often get requests from high school or early college students asking for my recommendations on courses they should take to help them get into the game industry. I always recommend they take something completely non-technical--Creative Writing, American Lit, Painting--something just as creative as programming but not as technical. It''s far too easy to forget there are zillions of good ideas and sources of inspiration all over the place.

quote:
ps : I never heard of Enemy Nations... I''ll have to check it out.

It was a good game, and even though a lot of folks hadn''t heard of it I put it on the poll because of its solid (IMO) AI. It''s worth checking out if you can find it; a good place to try would be www.windward.net.



Ferretman

ferretman@gameai.com
http://www.gameai.com
From the High Mountains of Colorado

The more I know people programming, the more I know nerds. Sadly nerds is not the best way to be creative. Though it''s a very good way to be productive, I have often times heard my nerdy friends come up with really really ... juvenile ideas. Look at Tomb Raider ! Look at the Quake likes ! Look at most of the games in recent years ... I wonder what kind of bibliography they use.

One guy explained that very well, Chris Hecker : basically, the PC industry is entering the same phase than Hollywood when it turned into an industry for the cinema.
It''s SO success driven, that no one want to try something new, different, that might be creative, "intelligent" and not necessarily market targeted.
As well, one of the guys at Valve Software said that the MOD industry was probably be the new place to be to create original games, as thos guys are amateurs but with real tools, which mean more chance of producing something that will sale (and then turn mainstream and be corrupted bby the evil power of the god Marketing )

But just to put another coat of wet paint :
If you want to be a programmer, be different, learn to spell, dress, eat, go out, and generally have a life. Every team needs a coding guru, nerd-style, but even a nerd can have a life. So get one

Am I totally OT ? ... youpla :-P