Video game bot

In video games, a bot is a type of weak AI expert system software which for each instance of the program controls a player in deathmatch, team deathmatch and/or cooperative human player, most prominently in the first-person shooters (FPS). Computer-controlled bots may play against other bots and/or human players in unison, either over the Internet, on a LAN or in a local session.^[1] Features and intelligence of bots may vary greatly, especially with community created content. Advanced bots feature machine learning for dynamic learning of patterns of the opponent as well as dynamic learning of previously unknown maps – whereas more trivial bots may rely completely on lists of waypoints created for each map by the developer, limiting the bot to play only maps with said waypoints. Bots can be created by game-developers as well as by users after the release. Using bots is against the rules of all of the current main Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG).

In MUDs, players may run bots to automate laborious tasks: this activity can sometimes make up the bulk of the gameplay. While a prohibited practice in most MUDs, there is an incentive for the player to save his/her time while the bot accumulates resources, such as experience, for the player character.

Usage

Bots can help a gamer learn the gameplay environment and the game rules as well as help them practice shooting accuracy and gaming skills before going online to compete with other human players in a multiplayer environment.^[2] Some PC gamers prefer to play exclusively with bots rather than human opponents – especially in the case of those who have slow internet connections and thus may be unable to effectively play online. Bots can also be used to allow players to play without worrying about opponents using cheats or exploiting bugs in the game. Players may also use bots to fill in spots on a server when there are few other players. In this respect, bots help create a longer interest in the game. Most bots use existing 3D models, textures and sound of the games or mods.

Some multiplayer games were released initially without single-player components and bots were created or added later on by fans and enthusiasts in the modding community.

Bot types

Bots may be either static or dynamic.

Static bots are designed to follow pre-made waypoints for each level or map. These bots need to have a unique waypoint file for each map, if they are to function. For example, Quake III Arena bots use an area awareness system file to move around the map, while Counter-Strike bots use a waypoint file.^[3]

Dynamic bots, dynamically learn the levels and maps as they play. RealBot, for Counter-Strike, is an example. Some bots are designed using both static and dynamic features.

See also

• Non-player character

References