Machine Design: AI Designs a Computer Game

Wow!  I’m going to be out of a job soon as HAL900 and Wintermute takes over…  How the AI made a game is from the very interesting New Scientist special ‘Better Living Through Games‘ which is work a look!

Angelina [the AI] creates games using a technique known as cooperative co-evolution. The system separately designs different aspects, or species, of the game. InSpace Station Invaders – in which players control a scientist who must fend off rogue robots and invading aliens to escape a space station – the species include the layout of each different level, enemy behaviour and the power-ups that give a player extra abilities. Angelina creates a level by randomly selecting from a list, then scattering enemies and power-ups throughout the level. Enemy movements and combat behaviours are also randomly selected from a list, while the effects of the power-ups are also random.

You can have a go at it here.