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Next-gen smarts
More realistic character behaviour has been touted as a true next-gen feature for the PS4 and Xbox One. Craig Chapple asks how AI is developing on new consoles and PC, and where it can go now at a time when players expectations are sky high
GUIDE:GRAPHICS AND RENDERING A handy guide to 12 of the most proficient graphics tools around P48
KEY RELEASE:
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HEARD ABOUT: Evolution Studios’
Alan McDermott talks mixing motors and mics for Driveclub P51
DEVELOP-ONLINE.NET
AS THE LEAP in graphical capabilities becomes less noticeable on new consoles, developers are looking for other methods of standing out and dazzling players. One of the biggest advancements touted in new generation consoles is in artificial intelligence. With the vastly increased amount of RAM and the touted capabilities of the cloud, AI is becoming a new turn-to for developers offering more immersive, believable experiences. And it’s no surprise to see AI taking an increasingly central role in new games. The hardcore players are looking for ever- stauncher challenges – just take Dark Souls for instance – while story-driven games such as The Last of Us and BioShock Infinite require clever AI and pathfinding to generate an emotional connection and ensure players aren’t simply infuriated by the presence of another character. Gone should be the days where your AI-controlled companion steps in front of your gunfire, standing and smiling oblivious as enemies swoop in.
AI TAKING CENTRE STAGE Gilles Mazars, CTO of the Masa Group, which last year released its new AI middleware Masa
Life, believes clever AI can be a game-selling feature this generation.
“Contrary to previous generations, the new generation of consoles are not really marketed on rendering, as there is not actually a big leap forward compared to the previous generation,” says Mazars. “AI has been presented as a possible ‘winner’ for the additional power the PS4 and Xbox One bring to the table. We believe AI can benefit from this in certain areas such as environmental queries (raycasting, for example) that will be offloadable to GPUs and crowds of NPCs. However, more horsepower doesn’t mean better AI per se. “The recent spotlight on AI due to this new generation of machines will encourage games developers to spend more time on character behaviour. We might see better characters because the focus has drifted away from rendering.” Matthew Jack, CEO and lead architect of Moon Collider, a Scottish firm that is powering the AI behind space sim and crowdfunding sensation Star Citizen with its Kythera tech, agrees that new advances in hardware is helping artificial intelligence reach new levels, and believes the big
Star Citizen (main) will take place in a vast 3D universe, and dynamic AI will play a big part in bringing to life its combat environments
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