MOBAs and the Future of AI Research

In previous articles, I've looked at a variety of video games that have proven useful test-beds for AI research, with the likes of Ms. Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. and more recently StarCraft. But in this instance I want to look at a genre that is still relatively new whilst presenting exciting opportunities for AI research: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena's (MOBA). The MOBA genre is undoubtedly one of the most popular in gaming today, but what impact could this have upon AI research? I'm going to provide an overview of MOBA's as a genre, what aspects of their design can prove interesting to AI research and look at some projects that are now bearing fruit both in academia and in corporate research labs. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena's are an offshoot of Real-time Strategy (RTS) games, originating with the Aeon of Strife map for Blizzards StarCraft, followed by the'Defence of the Ancients' mod for WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion The Frozen Throne.