Outgamer.net explores the possibilities for polite use of automation and AI in online games such as MUDs. The design and development has been going on for a very long time and these essays are beginning in the summer of 2024. The articles will focus on design and the necessary details and special cases for implementation rather than code snippets which would often be so focused on a specific environment as to obscure rather than illustrate the important concepts.

The techniques are applicable to a wide variety of games including those which are purely graphical and even ‘twitch’ based such as first person shooters. Using examples from text games allows more transparency of process and a more clear discussion of input and output from the AI.

This site attempts to discuss a possible cohesive design for a bot/automaton which is able to manage itself almost completely through common gaming experiences and to handle exceptions reasonably intelligently.

That includes logging on, engaging in common play activities, properly handling common beneficial and adverse outcomes, and responding politely if questioned or challenged. Features matching a ‘chatbot’ are out of scope but automated game play should be able to back off and yield right of way upon request from a human player.

Gameplay mechanics necessary to achieve this include:

• Geographical knowledge
• Understanding of the minimal commands and possible server responses to run a play session
• Definition of a series of activities constituting an advancement attempt or play session
• A minimal understanding of in-game communication so as to be able to respond to a request like ‘go away’

Gameplay mechanics which should be understood in order to facilitate a capable AI game agent rather than a simple list of IF [this] THEN [do that]:

• Geographical learning – a capability to map and understand the environment
• Objects/’character’ learning – a capability to learn about and interact with new items and other characters whether human-controlled or not.
• Higher level tactics and strategy using commands and activities beyond the minimal list to interact with the server. In the context of a fantasy/sci-fi text RPG/MUD that might include healing, running a mutually supporting group rather than just a solo character, and identifying optimal routes to advancement through actual experience.