22,128 research outputs found
Adaptive game level creation through rank-based interactive evolution
This paper introduces Rank-based Interactive Evolution (RIE) which is an alternative to interactive evolution driven by computational models of user preferences to generate personalized content. In RIE, the computational models are adapted to the preferences of users which, in turn, are used as fitness functions for the optimization of the generated content. The preference models are built via ranking-based preference learning, while the content is generated via evolutionary search. The proposed method is evaluated on the creation of strategy game maps, and its performance is tested using artificial agents. Results suggest that RIE is both faster and more robust than standard interactive evolution and outperforms other state-of-the-art interactive evolution approaches.The research is supported, in part, by the FP7 ICT project SIREN (project no: 258453) and by the FP7 ICT project C2Learn (project no: 318480).peer-reviewe
Adapting models of visual aesthetics for personalized content creation
This paper introduces a search-based approach to
personalized content generation with respect to visual aesthetics.
The approach is based on a two-step adaptation procedure
where (1) the evaluation function that characterizes the content
is adjusted to match the visual aesthetics of users and (2) the
content itself is optimized based on the personalized evaluation
function. To test the efficacy of the approach we design fitness
functions based on universal properties of visual perception,
inspired by psychological and neurobiological research. Using
these visual properties we generate aesthetically pleasing 2D
game spaceships via neuroevolutionary constrained optimization
and evaluate the impact of the designed visual properties on the
generated spaceships. The offline generated spaceships are used
as the initial population of an interactive evolution experiment in
which players are asked to choose spaceships according to their
visual taste: the impact of the various visual properties is adjusted
based on player preferences and new content is generated online
based on the updated computational model of visual aesthetics
of the player. Results are presented which show the potential of
the approach in generating content which is based on subjective
criteria of visual aesthetics.Thanks to all the participants of the interactive evolution
experiement. The research was supported, in part, by the
FP7 ICT project SIREN (project no: 258453) and by the
Danish Research Agency, Ministry of Science, Technology
and Innovation project AGameComIn; project number: 274-
09-0083.peer-reviewe
Designer modeling for sentient sketchbook
This paper documents the challenges in creating a
computer-aided level design tool which incorporates computergenerated
suggestions which appeal to the human user. Several
steps are suggested in order to make the suggestions more
appropriate to a specific userâs overall style, current focus, and
end-goals. Designer style is modeled via choice-based interactive
evolution which adapts the impact of different dimensions of
quality based on the designerâs choice of certain suggestions over
others. Modeling process is carried out similarly to style, but
adapting to the current focus of the designerâs actions. Goals are
modeled by estimating the visual patterns of the designerâs final
artifact and changing the parameters of the algorithm to enforce
such patterns on generated suggestions.The research is supported, in part, by the FP7 ICT project
C2Learn (project no: 318480) and the FP7 Marie Curie CIG
project AutoGameDesign (project no: 630665).peer-reviewe
Designer modeling for personalized game content creation tools
With the growing use of automated content creation
and computer-aided design tools in game development,
there is potential for enhancing the design process
through personalized interactions between the software
and the game developer. This paper proposes designer
modeling for capturing the designerâs preferences, goals
and processes from their interaction with a computer-
aided design tool, and suggests methods and domains
within game development where such a model can be
applied. We describe how designer modeling could be
integrated with current work on automated and mixed-
initiative content creation, and envision future directions which focus on personalizing the processes to a
designerâs particular wishes.peer-reviewe
Game AI revisited
More than a decade after the early research efforts on the
use of artificial intelligence (AI) in computer games and the
establishment of a new AI domain the term âgame AIâ needs
to be redefined. Traditionally, the tasks associated with
game AI revolved around non player character (NPC) behavior at different levels of control, varying from navigation
and pathfinding to decision making. Commercial-standard
games developed over the last 15 years and current game
productions, however, suggest that the traditional challenges
of game AI have been well addressed via the use of sophisticated AI approaches, not necessarily following or inspired
by advances in academic practices. The marginal penetration of traditional academic game AI methods in industrial
productions has been mainly due to the lack of constructive communication between academia and industry in the
early days of academic game AI, and the inability of academic game AI to propose methods that would significantly
advance existing development processes or provide scalable
solutions to real world problems. Recently, however, there
has been a shift of research focus as the current plethora
of AI uses in games is breaking the non-player character AI
tradition. A number of those alternative AI uses have already shown a significant potential for the design of better
games.
This paper presents four key game AI research areas that
are currently reshaping the research roadmap in the game
AI field and evidently put the game AI term under a new
perspective. These game AI flagship research areas include
the computational modeling of player experience, the procedural generation of content, the mining of player data on
massive-scale and the alternative AI research foci for enhancing NPC capabilities.peer-reviewe
Personalization in cultural heritage: the road travelled and the one ahead
Over the last 20 years, cultural heritage has been a favored domain for personalization research. For years, researchers have experimented with the cutting edge
technology of the day; now, with the convergence of internet and wireless technology, and the increasing adoption of the Web as a platform for the publication of information, the visitor is able to exploit cultural heritage material before, during and after the visit, having different goals and requirements in each phase. However, cultural heritage sites have a huge amount of information to present, which must be filtered and personalized in order to enable the individual user to easily access it. Personalization of cultural heritage information requires a system that is able to model the user
(e.g., interest, knowledge and other personal characteristics), as well as contextual aspects, select the most appropriate content, and deliver it in the most suitable way. It should be noted that achieving this result is extremely challenging in the case of first-time users, such as tourists who visit a cultural heritage site for the first time (and maybe the only time in their life). In addition, as tourism is a social activity, adapting to the individual is not enough because groups and communities have to be modeled and supported as well, taking into account their mutual interests, previous mutual experience, and requirements. How to model and represent the user(s) and the context of the visit and how to reason with regard to the information that is available are the challenges faced by researchers in personalization of cultural heritage. Notwithstanding the effort invested so far, a definite solution is far from being reached, mainly because new technology and new aspects of personalization are constantly being introduced. This article surveys the research in this area. Starting from the earlier systems, which presented cultural heritage information in kiosks, it summarizes the evolution of personalization techniques in museum web sites, virtual collections and mobile guides, until recent extension of cultural heritage toward the semantic and social web. The paper concludes with current challenges and points out areas where future research is needed
Player agency in interactive narrative: audience, actor & author
The question motivating this review paper is, how can
computer-based interactive narrative be used as a constructivist learn-
ing activity? The paper proposes that player agency can be used to
link interactive narrative to learner agency in constructivist theory,
and to classify approaches to interactive narrative. The traditional
question driving research in interactive narrative is, âhow can an in-
teractive narrative deal with a high degree of player agency, while
maintaining a coherent and well-formed narrative?â This question
derives from an Aristotelian approach to interactive narrative that,
as the question shows, is inherently antagonistic to player agency.
Within this approach, player agency must be restricted and manip-
ulated to maintain the narrative. Two alternative approaches based
on Brechtâs Epic Theatre and Boalâs Theatre of the Oppressed are
reviewed. If a Boalian approach to interactive narrative is taken the
conflict between narrative and player agency dissolves. The question
that emerges from this approach is quite different from the traditional
question above, and presents a more useful approach to applying in-
teractive narrative as a constructivist learning activity
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