Playing to Lose: AI and "Civilization" (Soren Johnson)

Google Tech Talk
August 26, 2010

ABSTRACT

Presented by Soren Johnson.

Artificial intelligence is crucial to any strategy game, providing a compelling opponent for solo play. While many of the challenges of AI development are technical, significant design challenges exist as well. Can the AI behave like a human? Should it? Should the game design be adjusted to accommodate the limitations of the AI? How do we make the AI fun? Should the AI cheat? If so, how much? Do we even want the AI to win? This session suggests some possible answers to these questions using the "Civilization" series as a case study. Ultimately, developers must choose between a "good" AI and a "fun" one, with an understanding of the trade-offs inherent when deciding between the two.

Soren Johnson was the lead designer and AI programmer for Sid Meier's Civilization IV. After working at Firaxis Games for seven years, Soren joined EA Maxis in 2007 to work on Spore as a lead designer/programmer. He is currently building web-based games with EA2D, such as the moddable strategystation.com and other unannounced projects. He also writes a design column for Game Developer Magazine and is on the GDC Advisory Board. His thoughts on game design can be found at http://www.designer-notes.com.

Download slides to this presentation here: http://www.designer-notes.com/Playing...

• Category

  Gaming

[KarlKFI]

@Luke1d20 & @frenzyfol

Game developers do not have infinite time nor infinite resources to devote to AI development. Expecting a perfect AI in a commercial game is unrealistic. Sure they could have fixed it after they realized it was a problem, but that means either longer development or more maintenance after release. Then it becomes simple economics: "Is it worth it in dollars, reputation and/or time for me or my company to solve?"

Blame the Businessmen.

[Folcik009]

Man, anyone else think these comments are somewhat hostile and unrealistic.

Game developers do not have infinite resources, time, and labor. These games require a lot more work then AI. It'd be fantastic if the AI was perfect but then we might see less time and work put into other areas of game design.

[drkinferno72]

So... this explains why Gahndi, Shaka, and Xerxes are cheating SOBs in Civilization...

[Forge Commander]

It's impossible to make AIs that can beat you without cheating (mostly).

For example, in HOMM 6, easy AIs started with about 200% more resources and they had at least quadruple my amount of units.

[jgcooper]

the guy speaking at 53:17 sounds like Microsoft Sam

[Querty Beighteen]

I believe they should work on future games sort of like Bethesda does in there elder scrolls games, and that is to specialize in a specific game concept or factor while simply transferring over everything else from it's successors. I personally agree with him. The AI "personalities" should be improved on. (im my opinion it's the most important feature) How would that leader react to this circumstance? This should be the overall goal to AI development in my opinion.

[Indirectcell]

the problem is gandhi, who has nothing against NUKEING you :P

[gammelgymsokk]

im guessing this guy didnt work on civ 5

[pastacattomato]

With the new expansion embarked units can defend themselves and stack with naval units

[360tomahawkill]

Acraplast video 1 hour and now this one?! sorry Goog im gone :/

[lmackenzie89]

Good talk - but it's pronounced amph-i-bious, not amph-e-bious.