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MIT AI Computer Teaches Itself To Play Civilization V – Skynet is Pleased

Catherine Cai — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:24:58 +0000

This is only a little bit eerie...

Humanity’s fate was already sealed when Watson trounced Ken Jennings in Jeopardy. It’s only a matter of time before we’re bowing before our metal overlords, asking them if their metallic holiness would like their steel chasses shined, whilst we secretly search for our John Connor.

Despite the overwhelming amount of Hollywood flicks that keep warning us of our fate, a few twisted individuals continue to happily steer us towards that trainwreck of doom.

“Have we a robot that can figure out punny questions and outsmart our best at Jeopardy? Why not best it with a robot that can understand English to play a strategy game like Civilization?”

A bully idea, MIT!

MIT decided to develop an AI that was essentially thrown into a game of Civilization with virtually no instructions on the game’s tasks or on the language that the game was written in. Creepily enough, after some trial-and-error, the AI began winning the games 46% of the time. Feeling that 46% wasn’t good enough, the MIT guys decided to give the AI the manual to the game. After all, states researcher S. R. K. Branavan:

“[Instruction manuals are a] very open text. They don’t tell you how to win. They just give you very general advice and suggestions, and you have to figure out a lot of other things on your own.”

…Because the world really needs an AI that can think and rationalize its way through a videogame. The AI then began winning the game 79% of the time, a statistic that puts me to shame.

Eugene Charniak, from Brown University stated in regards to this experiment:

“If you’d asked me beforehand if I thought we could do this yet, I’d have said no. You are building something where you have very little information about the domain, but you get clues from the domain itself.”

Well, everyone. Get your EMPs ready. First, they’ll be harmlessly playing Civilization. Next, they’ll be beating down your doors and sticking you into pods and harvesting the energy from your body.

[Source: io9]

Uncle Sid Meier Wants YOU To Play Civ World

Dave Oshry — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:00:39 +0000

Sid Meier’s Civilization World for Facebook is launching it’s open beta next week. That’s right, Uncle Sid wants YOU to play Civ World with all of your Facebook friends… for free!

Here’s the lowdown from 2k and Firaxis:

From the multi-award winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® strategy game series, comes the famously addictive gameplay that has made it one of the greatest game series of all time, accessible to everyone on Facebook for free. In Sid Meier’sCivilization World, players join together with their friends to create the world’s most powerful, richest, smartest, or just plain coolest civilization. Leaders will also manage and grow their own city to maximize production and happiness. Collaborative players benefit the most as they team up with friends to win great battles, create great wonders of the world, share technologies and spy on enemies. Play as much as you like, whenever you like on your epic quest to build the most powerful nation and rule the world.

Features:

Persistent Game: Rule the world on your time, Civilization World is there when you want to play. Civilization World introduces a unique Facebook game with a persistent, non-stop game world that has a definitive beginning and end, offering you the chance to work with your friends or compete against them as you lead your civilization to victory.

Most Accessible Civ Game Ever: With a set of trusted advisors who will explain game functionality and provide helpful hints and strategies, even first-time players will be confident in the choices they make… and it’s free to play! Experienced players can also help guide their friends who are new to the game, as they work together to rule the world. As an option, players can purchase can use “Civ -Bucks” and use them,” which is the games premium currency, for vanity items or for a limited amount of game impacting items such as an extra harvest.

Become Ruler of the World with a Little Help from Your Friends: Developed from the ground up to take advantage of the social fun and accessibility of Facebook, Civilization World is a collaborative experience in which you work with friends to conquer the world. Strategize on the next great wonder to build, which technology to research, or which civilization to invade, and proudly display your spoils in your trophy room and visit your friends to see their medals, statistics and achievements. Take part in a real community of leaders and ideas, where intellect and cunning can win loyalties and battles just as surely as great legions.

Full Civ Experience from the Father of the Franchise: Civilization World is a true Civilization game on Facebook developed by legendary game designer Sid Meier. As the world’s most award-winning game designer, Sid Meier has taken the 20 year history of the Civilization franchise and created a deep, social gaming experience on an evolving platform.

Will Civ World catch on and be the next breakout social gaming phenomenon? Only time will tell. If it doesn’t, look for Sid Meier’s Mafia Wars… coming soon.

Daily Deal: Civilization IV

Brandon Fenty — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:32:36 +0000

I’m a sucker for a good deal on great games, which is probably why I never have any money. When I find a good deal, I try to pass it on to you guys.
Today’s deal comes from Amazon. Civilization IV is an amazing strategy game created by Sid Meier, and you can get the PC version today for 50% off! Pick it up for $19.99. Check it out!

Civilization V Special Edition Details Announced

Bryce Wilson — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:02:24 +0000

After the job lay-offs at Firaxis it was business as usual with 2K Games announcing a special limited edition version of Civilization V. If your eyes lit up at the announcement, your wallet will soon be retreating to the deepest and darkest reaches of your house as it prepares for a 100 USD hit for the special edition. For one hundred dollars you would want to be getting some sweet swag, right? Well check out the list below and decide if it’s worth your hard earned dollars;

Copy of Civilization 5
5 Metal miniatures based on units from the game. Made by Reaper Figurines.
2 Disc Soundtrack of Civilization V
A DVD showing a Behind the Scenes during the development of Civilization V
176 page hardcover art book

It is a pretty sizable bunch of content, and I think it justifies the price tag. That might be different for the readers though, so let us know with a short comment below. When we find a packshot we will update this post to include it.

[Source: HookedGamers]

Spore Tribal Stage Introduced

Toni Dimayuga — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:36:33 +0000

EA must get a kick out of teasing the public like this, releasing information about Spore ever so slowly, like a stripper carefully removing her clothing one by one. This time, they’ve unveiled the Tribal Stage, the third in the Spore evolutionary chain. Naturally, they’ve also released some screenshots to keep folks salivating.

The Tribal Stage starts you off in a (surprise!) tribe, with a number of powers available to you depending on how you did in the Cell and Creature Stages. You’ve just discovered tools and use them for a number of tasks such as hunting, fishing, or domesticating wild animals. I wonder if discovering tools involves your tribe being inspired by a mysterious black obelisk.

Anyway, you can also buy more tools, use these to buy tribal accessories, and of course use them to make new friends or enemies with other tribes. Whichever route you take with your neighboring tribes (peaceful or aggressive), take over five to dominate the continent and form a civilization.

First Nintendo DS Screens of Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution

Dylan Duarte — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:26:09 +0000

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution is not only the first incarnation of the popular series to make its way to next gen consoles, it’s been built for the ground up specifically for console and handheld players. We first gave you a glimpse of the Xbox 360 version back in October, and now 2K has released the first screenshots of the Nintendo DS version.

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Steam Store-wide Sale

Dylan Duarte — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 05:43:50 +0000

Merry Christmas, Mr. Freeman.

Life just got a little easier for those who have neglected gift-purchasing until the last minute. Every game ever released on Steam is now on sale for 10 – 50% off. There’s quite a bit of treasure in here.

The sale just kicked off today and ends January 1st, 2008, so you have roughly a week to stock up on some quality titles. Check out the official announcement here and click “start shopping now” to browse. To send a game as a gift, simply choose the gift option during checkout and you’re set.

Some of the more noteworthy sales are Company of Heroes for $22.45, Bioshock for $37.45, Civ 4 for $29.95, and Psychonauts, one of the most underrated games ever, for $9.95. Half-Life 2 is on sale for $19.95, but you’re still better off just buying Orange Box.

And I have to mention Call of Duty 4 for $44.95. That’s only five bucks off the normal price, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the best shooters ever made.

Merry Christmas, gamers.

Via Kotaku