Artificial Intelligence and Games

This second edition of the 2018 textbook captures significant developments in AI and gaming over the past 7 years, incorporating advancements in computer vision, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and the emergence of transformer-based large language models and generative AI. The book has been reorganized to provide an updated overview of AI in games, with separate sections dedicated to AI’s core uses in playing and generating games, and modeling their players, along with a new chapter on ethical considerations. Aimed at readers with foundational AI knowledge, the book primarily targets three audiences: graduate or advanced undergraduate students pursuing careers in game AI, AI researchers and educators seeking teaching resources, and game programmers interested in creative AI applications. The text is complemented by a website featuring exercises, lecture slides, and additional educational materials suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses. The book is informed by decades of research and practice in the field and combines insights into game design with deep technical knowledge from the authors, who have pioneered many of the methods and approaches used in the field.

The original edition has been a vital reference for game developers. I’m glad to say that the new edition is still the indispensable overview of the field. And now it is up to date with the latest developments! If you make games, you need this book. 

Raph Koster, CEO of Playable Worlds, author of A Theory of Fun

Games and virtual environments are important testbeds for artificial intelligence, and the authors are leading experts in applying AI to games. 

Yann LeCun, Professor of Computer Science, New York University; Chief AI Scientist, Meta; ACM Turing Award

This book is a treasure trove of past achievements in game AI, and contains clues for future game AI development.  

Youichiro Miyake, Lead AI Researcher, SQUARE ENIX

This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to expand their understanding of AI and its use in games. This revised edition refreshes and expands on the original and adds a much needed section on AI ethics. Highly recommended.

Stephen Peacock, Head of AI, Keywords Studios