Game AI Pro 3

34

1000 NPCs at 60 FPS

Robert Zubek

34.1    Introduction

34.2    Action Selection

34.3    Action Performance

34.4    Conclusions

References

34.1  Introduction

In this chapter we look at the AI used to implement characters in the game Project Highrise by SomaSim, a skyscraper construction management sim where players build, lease out, and manage a series of highrise buildings.

The AI goal in this simulation game was to implement a “living building,” simulating the everyday lives of hundreds of inhabitants of the player’s skyscraper, their daily lives and routines. As described in more detail in the next section, we gave ourselves a benchmark goal to hit: In order to meet gameplay needs, up to 1000 NPCs should be able to live in the player’s ...