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Quake Bots Rock The Prefrontal Cortex

Posted by simoniker on from the theoretical-tactical-spectacle dept.

0x4B writes "Some researchers from Vanderbilt University have used id Software's Quake III Arena to test a model of the human prefrontal cortex. The model was injected into the control systems of a Quake Bot, allowing it to flexibly adapt to changing enemy characteristics. The bot was required to identify the vulnerability of its enemies to different types of weaponry through repeated combat trials. Not only are the bots busy shooting each other relentlessly, but you can catch the action by joining the battle as an observer. Source code and Quake virtual machines are available for download."

5 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Caught by JohnFluxx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds like they were caught playing quake during work hours, and had to make up an elaborate story :)

    nah just kidding.. But from the /. blurb, it's not that cool if all they can learn is what weapon is best.

    1. Re:Caught by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 5, Insightful

      With my experience with bots from various FPS games on several platforms is that the bots autoswitch to the most powerful weapon and stick with it until they die and/or run out of ammo.

      The result? A close quarter battle where the bot is trying to snipe you from four feet away when he has a shotgun in his inventory. Or a map with copious amounts of one weapon becoming a single weapon map (Rocketfest, Sniperfest etc.)

      If a bot can select an appropriate weapon based on a multiple factors than it serves to add to more realistic bot gameplay. Have I just popped in to a dead end? Then the bot should bounce grenades into my little enclosure. Am I clearly running for the flag? Then the bot should line the corridor with bio sludge to hinder my efforts. Am I flying through the air from a rocket jump? Then the bot should try and place a rocket at my landing spot as well as/instead of trying to continually fire rails at me.

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    2. Re:Caught by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Imagine if, in the near future, as well as a testing period, FPS developing houses have a 'learning period'. In this time there would be extensive testing of all maps/modes/mutators with just bot games. Over, say a one week period, the bots are left to their own devices, fragging 24/7, developing their algorithms on a daily basis as to become more and more adapted until at the end you, hopefully, have a very intelligent bot.

      All you need are a little 'human' boundaries - +/- percentage of aiming error, +/- path deviation distance etc. defined at the start and you're set.

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
  2. bots don't piss about or be irrational by DrSkwid · · Score: 4, Funny

    they day the bot switches to grapple and follows PCs round laughing at their hopelessness all the while grappling them to death I'll know their finished.

    Or shooting someone with shotgun cos they'll fall backwards into the lava.

    Or camp under the stairs when their bored

    etc.etc.etc.

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  3. Not Close Enough by Acts+of+Attrition · · Score: 5, Funny

    An interesting development, but if they really want to replace human players they still need algorithms for name-calling, complaining and cheating.