Enemy AI

[hahadude]

I was reading a different thread and someone made reference to how the enemy AI in this game is going to be "incredible." This got me really excited because in my opinion AI sucks a lot in most games. I was wondering if anyone knew about anything that enemies do that makes the AI so good? Or if anyone has any thoughts. Will it be that good? I'm just curious.

[MuRaSaMuNe]

Well the enemy AI would be good if they called for help if they detect you, travel in groups and show team work withouthers, use a bit of tactics instead of constantly rushing fulll power and if you run away they don't automaticly see you, they have to look for you (this was mentioned before in another thread). I think JK2's AI wil be good because of the advancement in the game industry if you haven't noticed, AI seems to be gradually getting better and better throughout games.

[RichyBoy]

I seem to remember that in the PC GAMER UK movie there's one bit where Kyle is attacking a group of stormies and they're yelling things at each other like "Get behind him" etc. That seems to suggest that we're going to see some sort of advanced group A.I for enemies.

 

The review in the magazine states that stormtroopers bravery increases by having a commanding officer nearby or where they are in large groups. They will also apparently flee if you take out a lot of their buddies, and become more timid if you get out your lightsaber when fighting them. Of course, as they reviewed a beta, it's difficult to say whether this will be accurate in the full retail game, but I can't imagine Raven removing anything that's actually good from the game before it goes gold!

[Eternity]

The reviews mention they are tough tough because they seem to be able to detect you through walls, etc. etc.

 

There will be nasty clipping errors.

 

(Cynic..someone has to do it)

[hahadude]

Yeah, the stormtrooper does say "get behind him" in the pc gamer trailer. Group AI would be really cool.

[Omne]

So long as the storm troppers aren't "Super AI" like some games. You know, where they possess God-like abilities in accuracy and speed. Ruins a game.

[simon says]

Stormtroopers and accurate in the same sentence? Impossible:D . Thoes guys can't hit a barn if they're INSIDE the thing

[BJP3E]

Its their weapon that is not accurate its beed said so very noticeable in JK when you use their weapon

[digl]

god like stormtroopers wouldn't be stormtroopers, they must be a bit stupid

[simon says]

Here, this should clear up some things:

 

 

"The enemy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Jedi Outcast has been a major consideration throughout the course of the game's development. We've put a lot of work into developing robust systems for both the group AI and the "Jedi" AI. The new group AI helps Stormtroopers behave like a squad and also allows other enemies to work in groups. They take cover, talk to each other, take orders from Imperial Officers or group leaders, etc. They also react differently to the player based on his attack style, movements and the weapons and abilities he's using.

 

The group has an overall morale that affects many aspects of both their individual AI (aim, whether to flee, etc.) and the group behavior (whether to advance, outflank or fall back). For example, when faced with a squad of Stormtroopers, you can get a momentary advantage from taking out their leader, causing them to retreat and panic for a short while. Also, charging into them with a lightsaber is going to scare them a bit more than charging in with a stun baton. It’s a difficult process because if you make them too smart, they don't really seem like the Stormtroopers we know and love from the films. They need to have little regard for their own lives and they have to be fairly bad shots because of their "superior numbers" tactics. Because of these restrictions, it was difficult to find a balance, but in the end I think the Stormtrooper/group AI turned out very well.

 

The "Jedi" AI is another matter altogether. Their AI is totally new and from scratch because their tactics, abilities and motivations are completely separate from those of Stormtroopers. They need to be able to follow you in combat, stick with you as you move and attack as effectively as possible. The path finding here is difficult enough because they need to be able to jump anywhere you do and follow you anywhere. Aside from that, they need to be able to counter all of your non-saber weapons and, in saber to saber combat, they need to read your attacks and respond with counters and/or evasive action (whether it be a block, a dodge, a Force power or some form of acrobatic move). Unlike the original Jedi Knight, you will be fighting lightsaber users on a regular basis after you meet your first one (and, at one point, you even have Jedi allies fight along side you), so we had to put a lot of work making sure they could handle themselves in almost any situation.

 

The Jedi AI also needs to know when to attack and what kinds of attacks to use (including saber throwing and using offensive Force powers). All of this behavior is also tied into their "aggression" level, which ebbs and flows as the battle goes on, much like the lightsaber combat in the movies. So sometimes they'll be more cautious and keep their distance, sometimes even taunting you or turning off their saber, and sometimes they'll be charging at you full steam, being more nonverbally vocal, letting their rage take over and swinging their lightsaber unrelentingly. With the vast array of lightsaber attacks (around 8 for each of the three Lightsaber Combat Styles), defenses (blocks, parries, knockaways), acrobatics and special features (backstabs, flip-attacks, saber-locking, etc.), I have to say that this game has the most movie-like lightsaber battles outside of the movies themselves. The saber-locking feature, especially, adds a whole new dimension to our saber combat. In the films, you'll sometimes see two lightsaber combatants press their lightsabers toward the other, trying to gain ground... often, they'll use the opportunity to trade a line or two. The same happens in our game now, and I think it helps give it a more cinematic feeling without slowing down the pace of the game. The movie fight sequences have a rhythm, they’re not non-stop hack and slash fests. They are choreographed to have a dynamic level of action. The "aggression" AI and saber-locking help the game to get closer to that choreographed feel. The saber-locks, themselves, don’t last very long, and when they do happen, the player has just a few seconds to realize it and win or lose the struggle (there are a few different ways they can be resolved). Then there are all the little touches added to the AI that were implemented to make things like lightsaber fights more enjoyable (such as Stormtroopers not firing on two lightsaber combatants - like at the end of the first Star Wars movie). Overall, the AI in Jedi Outcast is extremely challenging. So much so, in fact, that in the early stages of testing, many people felt it was TOO challenging. One of the most difficult aspects of game development is play balancing the weapons and the AI and Jedi Outcast is no exception. Fortunately, we’ve been able to find the delicate balance between challenging and fun and that balance is a major reason Jedi Outcast is so enjoyable to play. "

 

That's JO Knotes #6.

[simon says]

Also this from the chat on Friday:

"Lord Chief: How much effort was put into the AI of JK2? I heard that for SOF2 two people worked 24/7 on the AI. Does this mean JK2 has moron Stormtroopers walking around?

Kenn H: AI in JK2 is very solid. There are multiple AI types including a separate AI system for Stormtroopers (group AI), officer and worker AI, and Force Abled Opponent AI. "

[Naphtali]

If anyone here plays more than just pc and have played MGS for ps2 then think of the AI being challenging somewhat like that.

Soldiers that spot you get help, they hide behind objects from fire, shoot out lights, listen to your steps, although the JO AI is different in that its starwars, i just wanted to give and idea of the challange

[Guest Obi]

Yes, I agree, Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 are two of the best games ever made(in my opinion.) I agree that the AI in both is excellently done and ahead of its time(especially in the first one.)

 

Did you guys disable HTML just so I couldn't use my font color? Drat!