Fantasy Gems are video games that use artificial intelligence to give non-player characters realistic and responsive behavior. AI games are a new frontier in gaming that shift the control of gameplay to the player by making NPCs behave like humans and respond to their actions.
Gameplay using artificial intelligence has been a core area of research in AI from its inception. Early examples of game AI include the chess program ELIZA written in 1951, and checkers programs by Christopher Strachey and Dietrich Prinz. More recently, the ELIZA-like program MYCRO has been used to develop therapeutic conversations and even perform psychotherapy.
AI-Powered Dreams and Visions as Game Mechanics
The majority of modern-day AI games revolve around action, first-person shooter, or adventure genres. The ability of game AI to provide efficient and effective combat is particularly important in these genres. More advanced AI techniques in game development are being developed to create more realistic NPCs. For example, NPCs that can look for cover in a firefight or check their health in real-time are becoming increasingly commonplace.
Another area of growing interest in game AI is the emergence of self-learning NPCs that learn and adapt as the game is played. This approach allows the game to become more challenging and extend its play-life by changing in response to the player’s actions.
NPCs that are designed with this type of advanced AI often use machine learning to analyze player performance and react accordingly. This can also help developers optimize difficulty levels, pacing, and content. However, this can also raise privacy concerns over what data is collected by the AI and how it is used.