Poll #20: 1/07/01 - 2/05/01


Tweaking the AI
Should players be allowed to modify a game's AI?
  
Absolutely not! A game is like a book; if you let the player mess with it they're interfering with the producer's vision. (14)
6%
  
Mostly not. Any interaction with the game's AI should be limited to difficulty settings and pre-defined options. (21)
8%
  
Limited yes. It's okay for players to create maps, build 'bots and maybe tweak some data files, but that's all they need to keep a game fresh. (50)
20%
  
Qualified yes. Players should be allowed to "roll their own" AIs through tightly controlled scripting interfaces and bounds-checked data files, but no code changes. (71)
28%
  
Absolutely yes! Any game that can reasonably support it should make all AI functions available via DLL or other programming interfaces. (96)
38%

Total Votes: 252

FINAL RESULTS
Steve's Comments: Well, I can't say as I'm terribly surprised by these results...given who visits this page and our common interest in game AI, I pretty much figured we'd see results along the lines of what's above.

Still, it's interesting to note that at least some folks think that fiddling with a game's AI isn't a particularly good idea, or should at least be very tightly controlled. Data file mods and 'bots seem to be the most preferred approaches overall, while over a third of respondents want "full access"-- something I doubt we will ever see much of given the realities of making games.

Some of the comments I received:
  • If a game's presets are modified, I can't tell if it's the same game.
  • An online community is a set of free programmers who ensure people will keep an interest in your game. Look at what Counter-Strike did for Half-Life.
  • I'm generally in favor of giving players more than enough rope to hang themselves.
  • There is not a simple answer to the question. Some games should and some games should not allow player modification of the game AI.
  • Half-life really amazed me, those marines move and act in a so intelligent way.