The Challenge of Believability in Video Games: Definitions, Agents Models and Imitation Learning

ABSTRACT In this paper, we address the problem of creating believable agents (virtual characters) in video games. We consider only one meaning of believability, "giving the feeling of being controlled by a player", and outline the problem of its evaluation. We present several models for agents in games which can produce believable behaviours, both from industry and research. For high level of believability, learning and especially imitation learning seems to be the way to go. We make a quick overview of different approaches to make video games' agents learn from players. To conclude we propose a two-step method to develop new models for believable agents. First we must find the criteria for believability for our application and define an evaluation method. Then the model and the learning algorithm can be designed. INTRODUCTION Nowadays, more and more consoles and video games are designed to make the player feel like he/she is in the game. To define how well this goal is achieved, two criteria have been defined in academic research: immersion and presence. According to Slater, immersion is an objective criterion which depends on the hardware and software(Slater et al. 1995). It includes criteria based on virtual sensory information's types, variety, richness, direction and in which extend they override real ones. For example, force feedback and motion sensing controllers, surround sound and high dynamic range rendering can improve the immersion. Presence, also known as telepresence (Steuer 1992), is a more subjective criterion.