Indycar Series
Posted by Bagel on Wednesday, March 19 2003

This genetic development of computer drivers is being used to form a complex Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that will control the player's racing opponents in the IndyCar Series game.

For the creation of the drivers' Artificial Intelligence, the game's developers began by placing basic AI drivers on an in-game circuit and started a race. Some drivers went forward and stopped, some crashed, some went in circles, some didn't even move.

The AI drivers that performed the best were kept and their parameters – their AI genes – were automatically integrated into a fresh batch of AI drivers, who then attempted another race. This gene-development process continued until the AI drivers could handle an IndyCar Series event as proficiently as the real-life professionals. Further modelling enabled the AI drivers to exhibit the same racing tactics as the real Indy racing drivers who feature in the game.

Under this AI system each race is unique as the drivers make dynamic strategic racing decisions in real-time, rather than following a scripted racing path.

Thankfully, the game's AI system also watches the skills of the player and dynamically adjusts the level of the opponent drivers' skills accordingly.

With its incredible high speeds, dangerous close pack racing, skilful on-track manoeuvres and challenging drivers, the sport of IndyCar Series racing makes for the perfect open-wheel racing game. Capturing the championship's overt sense of spectacle IndyCar Series will debut in spring 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. For updates on the game's continuing development, see the dedicated microsite at
www.codemasters.com/indycarseries