Game AI Pro 3

13

Choosing Effective Utility-Based Considerations

Mike Lewis

13.1    Introduction

13.2    Architecture

13.3    Tactical Movement

13.4    Skill Selection

13.5    Guiding Principles

13.6    Choosing Effective Considerations

13.7    Conclusion

References

13.1  Introduction

Theatrical actors are (perhaps stereotypically) known for asking the pointed question, “What’s my motivation?” AI designers and implementers often must ask the same thing on behalf of their digital creations. In fact, entire systems of AI architecture center on that very idea: why would a creature or NPC do some specific action at a given moment in time?

In particular, utility theory offers a powerful and compelling model for game AI (Graham 2014). In a nutshell, available ...