You are enjoying your new video game, but you cannot believe how challenging it is. The computer-controlled enemies behave just like human players. They seem to know all the best tricks and when to use them. When you try new strategies, the enemies even adjust their behavior in response.
Today's video games often feature computer--controlled opponents that behave with surprising realism. The challenge of trying to defeat these skilled enemies can make a game a lot of fun. And this fascinating feature is all thanks to to the power of AI.
Believe it or not, playing games was one of the first things AI systems learned to do. In 1951, researcher Christopher Strachey created a computer program that could play checkers. This was a huge breakthrough at the time. By the w1969s, computers were skillfully playing chess, a much more complex game.
The earliest video games, which were created in the 1960s, required two human players to compete against each other. But by the 1970s, game developers were adding single-player modes where players could compete against AI opponents.
AI in video games is different than the types if AU used for real-world tasks. A game can be programmed to give the AI enemy information that ta human player would not have access to in real life. For example, an enemy in an action game does not need to truly "see" your character to find you and attack. Instead, the game can simply tell the AI where you are. Real-world applications of AI do not get take these kinds of shortcuts.
Because AI-controlled players in a video game can "cheat" in this way, game developers face a unique challenge. They want to create opponents that are challenging to defeat. However, they do not want the game to seem unfair to human players. After all, that would not be very fun!
People who program AI for video games have a very different set of skills from those who create other kinds of AI systems. But if you are interested in both games and AI, it could be the perfect career for you!
Imagine It
- Play a game against a friend. It can be a video game or a board game.
- What kind of strategy does your friend use? What kind of mistakes does he or she make?
- Make a list of the traits an AI system would need to mimic your fiend's play style.
Future Game Developer
If you want to help create AI for games, you will need programming skills and a college degree in a field such a computer science. In the meantime, try to become an expert in what makes games fun to play. Any time you play a game, think carefully about which parts are good and which are bad. Try brainstorming ways to improve the game or come up with ideas for a new game.
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| A female game developer with VR headset and gamepad |
Flair: AI
Collection: Career
