Page 39 |
Save page Remove page | Previous | 39 of 47 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large (1000x1000 max)
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
also a work of expressive AI, an evocative knowledge object, an adaptation game, and an
educational game.
Expressive AI
Michael Mateas presents the concept of expressive AI:
Expressive AI is a new interdiscipline of AI-based cultural production
combining art practice and AI research practice. Expressive AI changes
the focus from an AI system as a thing in itself (presumably
demonstrating some essential feature of intelligence) to the
communication between author and audience.53
This point of view describes the design priorities and process of Leafcutters. The game is
not a work of AI research, yet the artificial intelligence system which drives the individual ants
and allows for the emergence of large-scale collective behavior is key to the user experience.
This influenced the methodology of the game’s creation. While Fullerton’s design
methodology would suggest user playtesting via paper prototyping before technical
implementation, since the artificial intelligence in Leafcutters is indeed “part of the concept of the
piece, part of the larger interpretive context of people theorizing about the piece,” early
implementation of this artificial intelligence was key to the design process. This allowed for
iteration in order to tune the artificial intelligence and achieve the game’s goal of lifelike
creatures. 54, 55 It is vital to Leafcutters that the ants seem alive and autonomous, and this effect
could only be elicited via a relatively intensive, early technical implementation.
34
53 Mateas, M. "Expressive AI: A hybrid art and science practice." Leonardo, Journal of the International Society for
Arts, Sciences, and Technology. 34.2 (2001): 147-153. Print.
54 Fullerton, 179-212.
55 Mateas, 151.
Object Description
| Title | Leafcutters: life simulation gameplay designed to evoke engagement with real-world subject matter |
| Author | Graner, William B. |
| Author email | granerw@gmail.com; bill@bgraner.com |
| Degree | Master of Fine Arts |
| Document type | Thesis |
| Degree program | Interactive Media |
| School | School of Cinematic Arts |
| Date defended/completed | 2011-05-05 |
| Date submitted | 2011 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2011-05-05 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Gibson, Jeremy |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Fullerton, Tracy Anderson, Steven F. |
| Abstract | Leafcutters is a life simulation game about leafcutting ants which is designed to evoke engagement with real world subject matter. In this game, players shape the behaviors of a colony of ants in order to establish complex behaviors such as foraging and fungus farming. The game system in Leafcutters is adapted from existing biological research on ants, with an emphasis on the accurate adaptation of a natural system into a game system. This project draws on previous works in artificial life, life simulation games, swarm games, virtual pets, and virtual ants. Leafcutters is a work of expressive AI, an evocative knowledge object, and an educational game. |
| Keyword | simulation game; evocative knowledge object; educational game; video game |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m3919 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Graner, William B. |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-Graner-4578 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume40/etd-Graner-4578.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 39 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | also a work of expressive AI, an evocative knowledge object, an adaptation game, and an educational game. Expressive AI Michael Mateas presents the concept of expressive AI: Expressive AI is a new interdiscipline of AI-based cultural production combining art practice and AI research practice. Expressive AI changes the focus from an AI system as a thing in itself (presumably demonstrating some essential feature of intelligence) to the communication between author and audience.53 This point of view describes the design priorities and process of Leafcutters. The game is not a work of AI research, yet the artificial intelligence system which drives the individual ants and allows for the emergence of large-scale collective behavior is key to the user experience. This influenced the methodology of the game’s creation. While Fullerton’s design methodology would suggest user playtesting via paper prototyping before technical implementation, since the artificial intelligence in Leafcutters is indeed “part of the concept of the piece, part of the larger interpretive context of people theorizing about the piece,” early implementation of this artificial intelligence was key to the design process. This allowed for iteration in order to tune the artificial intelligence and achieve the game’s goal of lifelike creatures. 54, 55 It is vital to Leafcutters that the ants seem alive and autonomous, and this effect could only be elicited via a relatively intensive, early technical implementation. 34 53 Mateas, M. "Expressive AI: A hybrid art and science practice." Leonardo, Journal of the International Society for Arts, Sciences, and Technology. 34.2 (2001): 147-153. Print. 54 Fullerton, 179-212. 55 Mateas, 151. |
