March 27, 2023 - Upcoming Cold War-era grand strategy title Espiocracy is a complex game, and a new dev diary explains how the game’s artificial intelligence (AI) thinks, reacts, and plans for actions far ahead of its current turn.
For 70 years, programmers have been building engines that can calculate trillions of moves in seconds and compete in chess at a competitive level. Now, developer Ex Vivo Studios plans to utilize the lessons from this established field to power the game’s top-level AI.
The AI in Espiocracy can not only analyze its available moves as a rival intelligence agency, but also simulate potential moves to see what options open up. This approach allows it to create chains of decisions, like stockpiling resources for large operations, preparing for invasive actions, or eliminating threats. This is only possible because AI has existed in Espiocracy since the early days to ensure computer opponents can handle the game’s complex interactions, and many elements have even been redesigned specifically for the AI’s use.
Furthermore, the developer fully embraces the spirit of modding by creating tools to let fans modify the game’s AI to their heart’s content and completely replace it if they chose to. “It is my intention to give the keys to people much smarter than me,” writes Rafal Grochala, Espiocracy’s creator. “[They] can implement better and more interesting AIs, which then could be easily downloaded as mods from Steam Workshop. I'm working on tools that would measure and compare AIs against each other.”
You can read more in the full patch notes. This diary builds on the previous entry, which discusses how “actors” (low-level NPC entities such as agents or companies) operate in the game world.
Espiocracy is scheduled to release on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. A press kit is available.
-End-
About Ex Vivo Studios™
Ex Vivo Studios was founded by a Polish developer of strategy games, with a goal of combining unusual themes with deep decisions and fascinating stories. The studio’s debut title, Espiocracy, was born out of a desire to play something that didn’t exist and is the result of countless experiments and prototypes.
You can find out more via the game’s official website and Discord community.
About Hooded Horse™
Hooded Horse Inc. is a publisher of strategy, simulation, and role-playing games based in Dallas, Texas, with people and partners worldwide. Starting in 2019 with a single title, Hooded Horse’s portfolio has grown to 21 games and counting. Our goal is to empower and support developers in doing what they love. From the distant past of Manor Lords, the haunted woods of Against the Storm, to the depths of space in Terra Invicta, Hooded Horse wants to offer the best in deep, strategic experiences.
You can find out more about us on our Steam publisher page, as well as our social channels; Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Discord, and website.