Unraveling the Mind of AI: A Closer Look at Song of Conquest's Decision Debugger

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The AI Tools Menu
3. The Options Debugger
4. The Scripted Reasoner
5. The Long-Term Reasoner
6. Short-Term Decisions
7. Tweaking the Numbers
8. Conclusion

The AI Tools: A Deeper Look at the Thought Process behind Songs of Conquest

🔹 Introduction In the world of strategy games, the mind of an AI player is a complex web of decisions and calculations. As game developers, we at Lava Potion understand the importance of providing tools that allow players to gain insight into the thought process of AI players. In our latest game, Songs of Conquest, we have introduced a range of AI tools, and in this article, we will be focusing on one of them: the Options Debugger.

🔹 The AI Tools Menu To access the AI tools in Songs of Conquest, players can simply click on the small robot button located in the game interface. This will open up the AI tools menu, which provides a list of all the available tools that can be used during runtime. These tools serve as invaluable aids in understanding and analyzing the behavior of the AI players.

🔹 The Options Debugger One of the most powerful tools in our arsenal is the Options Debugger. This tool allows players to hijack the thought process of the AI and examine the various decisions it considers before making a move. Before delving into the specifics of this tool, let's first understand the different types of reasoners that drive the AI behavior in Songs of Conquest.

🔹 The Scripted Reasoner In certain scenarios, such as campaign maps or scripted events, the AI needs to make decisions based on a pre-determined script. We call this type of reasoner the Scripted Reasoner. It allows the AI to deviate from its usual behavior and follow a storyline or narrative. However, in the case of a skirmish map, we don't want the AI to perform any scripted actions, so the Scripted Reasoner remains idle.

🔹 The Long-Term Reasoner The Long-Term Reasoner is responsible for making decisions that have a significant impact on the game. These decisions can range from recruiting troops and constructing buildings to launching an attack on a distant settlement. The Long-Term Reasoner sets the overall goal for the AI and guides its short-term decisions.

🔹 Short-Term Decisions After setting the long-term goal, the AI considers a series of short-term decisions that work towards achieving that goal. Using the Options Debugger, players can step through each of these decisions and understand the considerations taken into account by the AI. For example, the AI may prioritize picking up a pile of wood or exploring a specific region based on certain factors that can be tweaked and refined.

🔹 Tweaking the Numbers One of the key aspects of the Options Debugger is the ability to evaluate the scoring and ranking of different decisions. By examining the scores assigned to each option, players can fine-tune the AI's behavior by adjusting the underlying numbers. This level of control ensures that the AI acts in a more optimal and strategic manner, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

🔹 Conclusion The AI tools in Songs of Conquest provide invaluable insights into the decision-making process of AI players, allowing both players and developers to gain a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics. The Options Debugger, in particular, offers a comprehensive view of the AI's choices and facilitates tweaking and refining its behavior. As we continuously strive to improve the gaming experience, feedback from players regarding these AI tools is greatly appreciated.

Highlights

• Gain a deeper understanding of the AI thought process in Songs of Conquest
• Explore the various AI tools available during gameplay
• Dive into the Options Debugger and understand how it helps analyze AI decisions
• Get insights into the different reasoners that drive AI behavior
• Learn how short-term decisions work towards long-term goals
• Fine-tune AI behavior by tweaking the scoring and ranking system

FAQs

❓ Question: Can the AI tools be used during gameplay? 🅰️ Answer: Yes, the AI tools, including the Options Debugger, can be accessed during runtime.

❓ Question: Are the AI decisions based on pre-determined scripts in all scenarios? 🅰️ Answer: No, the Scripted Reasoner is used primarily in campaign maps or scripted events, where specific actions need to be performed.

❓ Question: Can players adjust the underlying numbers that affect AI behavior? 🅰️ Answer: Yes, the Options Debugger allows players to evaluate and tweak the scores assigned to different AI decisions.

❓ Question: How do the AI tools enhance the overall gameplay experience? 🅰️ Answer: By providing insights into AI decisions and enabling fine-tuning, the AI tools make the game more strategic and engaging for players.

Resources

• Songs of Conquest Official Website
• Lava Potion Official Website