Project Summary

Project Details

Project Objective

To create non-player characters (NPC) that exhibit realistic, human-like behaviour by creating 'black box' artificial intelligence systems for NPCs. To develop the core technology and separate it from the rest of the application.

Project Deliverables

A novel algorithm was developed and integrated into a product from Relic Entertainment. A high-level tool for doing scripting using Bioware's NWscript (ScriptEase) was developed. The tool is a high-level, pattern-based interface to AI and story scripting, shielding the user from writing scripting code. Work continued on putting learning into the system 'under the covers' as users are not interested in understanding machine learning algorithms. Language extensions were designed that allow a user to turn various types of learning on/off without having to understand the algorithmic details.

Project Technology and Benefits

Commercial computer games are a US$10 billion industry in North America. Three major players - Electronic Arts (Canada) Inc., BioWare Corp. and Relic Entertainment Inc. - are all Canadian. Electronic Arts specializes in sports games while BioWare and Relic specialize in role-playing games. These companies worked very closely with the project. Created technologies were incorporated into product releases (EA FIFA Soccer, Relic WarHammer 40,000) or are under evaluation (BioWare).

IACCG

Project Participants

University of Alberta ( Lead Participant - Academic )
CRIM - Centre de recherche informatique de Montréal
Lifelink Systems Inc.
Université Laval
Centre de Robotique Industrielle

Success Stories