SimAnt
An ant colony simulation game designed by Will Wright.
Where SimAnt comes up1 episode or test
- 1Objects broadcast offersBed: +10 energy; toilet: +20 bladder
- 2Sim checks its needsEach Sim has current needs
- 3Sim ranks the optionsScores offers by how well they fit
- 4Sim uses the best oneNew objects need no AI code changes
From Will Wright's design of The Sims
What was said about SimAnt
SimAnt's pheromone-following ants inspired objects that advertise what they offer in The Sims. Will Wright took the way ants follow pheromones in SimAnt and applied it to The Sims, where objects like beds and toilets broadcast what they can offer. A bed advertises +10 energy and a toilet +20 bladder, and each Sim ranks the advertised options by how well they meet its current needs.
Because the knowledge lives on the objects rather than in the AI, designers can add hundreds of objects or expansion packs without touching the AI code. As the source puts it: "all of the objects in the Sim's house contain this data, and will broadcast what they can offer."
The Genius AI Behind The Sims
Its ants following pheromones inspired Will Wright's idea of objects advertising to Sims, like fridges and TVs.
SimAnt's pheromone-following ants inspired objects that advertise what they offer in The Sims. Will Wright took the way ants follow pheromones in SimAnt and applied it to The Sims, where objects like beds and toilets broadcast what they can offer. A bed advertises +10 energy and a toilet +20 bladder, and each Sim ranks the advertised options by how well they meet its current needs.
Because the knowledge lives on the objects rather than in the AI, designers can add hundreds of objects or expansion packs without touching the AI code. As the source puts it: "all of the objects in the Sim's house contain this data, and will broadcast what they can offer."
More in Games
GamesNintendo
A Zelda adventure where Princess Zelda copies objects and monsters as echoes to solve puzzles and fight.
GamesThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo's long-running action-adventure series about Link exploring Hyrule, solving puzzles and fighting Ganon.
GamesDead Space
A major video game publisher and the guest's employer.
G
29 sources · 94 tipsMind Over Magnet
A puzzle platformer where you escape a factory using a magnet and a magnetic field.
GamesFar Cry 2
An open world action game where you recruit and play any of London's citizens.
GamesGod of War
A combat-focused action adventure game from Santa Monica Studio with Norse mythology and light puzzles.
Mind Over Magnet
Mark Brown's first game, a puzzle game he made while learning Unity.
GamesDishonored
A first-person stealth action game from Arkane with supernatural powers and the Clockwork Mansion level.