Lesson 72 of 1234
AI Helpers in Your Favorite Video Games
From the bad guys you fight to the buddies who help you — meet the AI hiding inside games.
Lesson map
What this lesson covers
Learning path
The main moves in order
- 1Press Start
- 2game AI
- 3NPCs
- 4computer opponents
Concept cluster
Terms to connect while reading
Section 1
Press Start
Ever notice how the goombas in Mario, the ghosts in Pac-Man, or the villagers in Minecraft do their own thing? That is game AI. It is a tiny set of rules telling characters how to move and act.
Two kinds of game AI
- Enemies — they chase you, dodge you, or attack you
- NPCs (non-player characters) — they sell stuff, give quests, or just walk around
Newer games are getting smarter
Some new games use big AI to make characters talk to you in their own words. Imagine a shopkeeper who can answer ANY question you ask — that is starting to happen.
Key terms in this lesson
End-of-lesson quiz
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