Hi all, I'm a graduate student who would like to do a thesis on artificial intelligence in video games. Specifically, I think an interesting problem would be to design an intelligent, engaging, but not overly difficult AI for MUD/MMO mobs. My advisor also sees this as an interesting problem, but has never done research in this area to date. So, we're currently in the process of looking around to find out what is the latest research being done. I've found a handful of papers by doing Google Scholar/library database searches. Searching the web for other groups doing research in game AI in general found me this site, as well as several groups at other universities: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~games/ http://www.cse.lehigh.edu/~munoz/projects/AIGames/ http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/laird/gamesresearch.html http://liquidnarrative.csc.ncsu.edu/index.php/people/rmy I've been looking around on these forums and found a few topics where this has been brought up before: http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=522633 http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=123833&whichpage=1 http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=475731&whichpage=1 There are some good insights in these topics, but not too many links to current research. I also see that there is a list of books pertaining to AI in Gaming right here on gamedev.net. Are any of these books in particular highly recommended? I notice that the Mat Buckland book is mentioned fairly often, as well as the Brian Schwab one. Are there others I should pay specific attention too? Also, if anyone has any suggestions on where I should be looking to get an idea of what kind of research is going on I'd greatly appreciate it. If there's a "must read" survey paper out there, or a group of students working on something "under the radar" or whatever, I'd be happy to hear about it. Thanks in advance to anyone who has any information to offer. Cheers! -Sukaeto [edit] Made all URLs into hyperlinks

I just spoke on using better AI in MMOs at GDC Austin last month. I will be putting my 1-hour presentation up on my site soon. It's not research (although I'm curious as to what sorts of "research" you are looking for), but it tosses out some ideas.

Hi! You must be Dave Mark. Interestingly enough, my advisor just bought your book off of Amazon - he lent it to me, and I plan on reading through it right away.

Anyway, as far as what kinds of "research" I'm looking for - possibly any papers (from academia or industry) describing any algorithms (implemented or theoretical) for driving the AI of an opponent in an MMO/MUD. Implementations of innovative/interesting algorithms being developed "underground" would be useful, too. Basically, if you were to work on "MMO AI" for [at least a chapter of] a doctoral dissertation, what works would you need to be aware of/want to expand upon.

I'll definitely be watching your presentation once you get it uploaded!

Thanks.

My main premise was suggesting that we can use many of the same individual, tactical, and strategic AI approaches that we do in single-player games. Why would we need much of anything different?

Thanks for the kudos on the book. Hope you enjoy it.

I see you're in Delaware... you going to GameX this weekend? I will be speaking there with Kevin Dill.

Well, now that you drew my attention to it, yes - we will be attending!

See you there.

Quote: Original post by sukaeto
Well, now that you drew my attention to it, yes - we will be attending!

See you there.

Make sure you say hi at my lecture. Also, don't miss Damian Isla (Halo 2 and 3) on Sunday evening. All of us AI guys stop and listen when Damian gives a talk.