Using a computer game to develop advanced AI

Building software agents that can survive in the harsh environment of a popular computer game (Quake II) provides fresh insight into the study of artificial intelligence (AI). Our Quakebot uses Soar-an engine for making and executing decisions-as its underlying AI engine for controlling a single player. We chose Soar as our AI engine because our real research goal is to understand and develop general integrated intelligent agents.

Computer Game AI

In computer games, designers can use AI to control individual characters, provide strategic direction to character groups, dynamically change parameters to make the game appropriately challenging, or produce a sports game's play-by-play commentary.^{2, 3} Computer games offer an inexpensive, reliable, and surprisingly accessible research environment, often with built-in AI interfaces.