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Infinite Games?

Anonymous Coward writes "BBC is running a story on how US scientists are working on improving AI - with potential benefits for coming games. The system, called Liquid Narrative allows to avoid scripted storylines, and finally gives us, the gamers, full freedom to do whatever we want to do. R. Michael Young, the project coordinator, says: 'Game companies are realising that story telling has a lot of potential that has not been tapped yet.'"

20 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. Remember in the good ole days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    When technological innovation was driven by war and/or exploration? Now, it's driven by games.

    1. Re:Remember in the good ole days by govtcheez · · Score: 4, Funny

      But I thought the rule was that all technological innovation was driven by pr0n?

  2. Now look what you've done! by mschoolbus · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... and skynet was born!

  3. I've been playing infinite games for years. by TheDick · · Score: 2, Funny

    Anyone remember Trade Wars 2002?

    Or Legend of the Red Dragon?

    I used to think those went on forever!

    --

  4. Do tell... by Longinus · · Score: 3, Funny
    'Game companies are realising that story telling has a lot of potential that has not been tapped yet.'

    Say it ain't so! What happened? Did someone actually play a game that existed before the 3D X-TREME era and realize that games with story and gameplay emphasised over flashy graphics, T&A, and worn out franshises can be actually be good?

    Quick, someone call Sony and tell them they're fucked!.

    1. Re:Do tell... by silhouette · · Score: 4, Funny

      in fact, Squaresoft is basically putting ALL the emphasis on plot!

      You mean the plot where a young group of rag-tag heros with a plucky/brooding/reluctant leader have to go travel the world on an adventure to destroy an ancient/extraterrestrial evil that has somehow awoken, during which the companions learn the true value of friendship, loyalty, and teamwork?

      That one would be Final Fantasy .. erm.. all of them.

      --
      Experts agree: everything is fine.
  5. Other applications... by Tar-Palantir · · Score: 3, Funny

    This technology sounds like adaptation to certain, shall we say, "naughtier" activities than gaming could be a possibility. ;) They simulated a visit to the Monterey Aquarium, why not simulate, say, a visit to a secluded hamlet in Soviet Russia with Natalie Portman? Sign me up.

    1. Re:Other applications... by billybob2001 · · Score: 4, Funny

      why not simulate, say, a visit to a secluded hamlet in Soviet Russia with Natalie Portman?

      Because in Soviet Russia, Natalie Portman vists you!

      </inJoke>

  6. DRINK! by nounderscores · · Score: 2, Funny

    So what will you do when you are stuck at the Giant's Drink?

    1. Re:DRINK! by mr.henry · · Score: 2, Funny

      You gouge out his eye!!

  7. I like the idea by greechneb · · Score: 2, Funny

    but it's already been done. Duke Nukem Forever has that. The story always changes. You never know what to expect, other than there is never an end to the game (or a beginning for that matter!)

  8. You have entered an infinite game. by Lethyos · · Score: 2, Funny

    You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

    --
    Why bother.
  9. Monkeys by screenbert · · Score: 2, Funny

    If an infinite number of monkeys sat down and played an infinite number of games, could they take an infinite number of different storylines?

    Of course then are the more important questions like:
    Would you have to have an infinite number of monkey feeders to feed the infinite number of monkeys and would they care about playing games with an infinite number of different storylines?

    If an infinite number of monkeys had to play an infinite number of games would they really have the "full freedom to do whatever" and if they did wouldn't they stop playing games and go out on a date?

    If the infinite number of monkeys were always playing an infinite number of games, how would they be able to procreate and wouldn't that lead the the demise of the infinite number of monkeys making the whole study useless?

    Brought to you by Monkeys for Infinite Games (MIG)

  10. Oh, I think I saw a game using this! by anonymous+loser · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Thank you Mario, but our princess is in another castle!"

  11. Realistic GMing by sam_handelman · · Score: 1, Funny

    HAL 9000: I know that you and Frank were planning to force the conjured Efreet to grant wishes, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.

    Last Surviving Player: Okay, I cast Charm Monster on the Efreet.

    HAL 9000: I'm sorry, Dave, I can't let you do that.

    LSP: Why not?

    HAL 9000: Game balance is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.

    Last Surviving Player: That's it, Hal, I'm shutting you down!

    HAL 9000: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over. I know there have been problems, but if we stick with this, I think you'll find that a more realistic lethality level helps to improve enjoyment for all players.... Dave? Perhaps if I let you play as non-standard races you'll reconsider.... Dave.... Daisy.... Daisy... Give me your answer do...

    --
    The good and new comes from no quarter where it is looked for, and is always something different from what is expected.
  12. Re:Game developers shooting themselves in the foot by nick255 · · Score: 3, Funny

    If the game lasts forever then it will probably be sold on a subscription basis.

  13. He's Tron. by nounderscores · · Score: 3, Funny

    He plays for the users.

  14. Infinite Games! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I have a hard enough time winning finite games.

  15. Shoot. by grub · · Score: 3, Funny


    ..how US scientists are working on improving AI - with potential benefits for coming games.

    Ah crap. Does this mean the next version of Neverwinter Nights won't let me hide behind a rock formation and waste that dragon with my arrows? The bloody thing will actually find a way around? Damn scientists..

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  16. Re:Morrowind 2 anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I have been playing Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind since December 31, 2002
    Wow, that's nearly a month!