Experiment

[johnno56]

I have been testing AI just to see how "clever" it is in creating games.

This is my first attempt at an AI created Space Invaders.

Notes: Even though I specified Naalaa as the base code, there were several "generalised" commands produced, that needed to be changed to N7. The game is FAR from complete... When using AI, you have to be specific in what you need, not just "create space invaders". The more info you give to the AI the better the results.

This attempt has multiple rows of animated invaders; A scoring system (plus hiscore - no saving); Level system (speed increases after each level). No sound (sound files included); No shields; No Super Invader. This is bare-bones.

Over all, it took maybe an hour or so to complete the game. In this instance, AI, has done fine job. Learning to be specific with AI was interesting... I might try some other types of "simple" 2D games... But, I do not think I will rely on AI to create 'all' my games... After all, I would like to eventually learn something... lol

Let me know what you think about AI and its usefulness in regards to N7?


  invaders.zip (Size: 142.98 KB / Downloads: 7)

[1micha.elok]

In my opinion, AI is a great tool to help us develop ideas and move things forward. But like you said, we can’t rely on AI alone to build a complete game. Human creativity and judgment are still essential to refine, reshape, and bring everything together into something truly great. The effort you put into showcasing both the AI and your own creativity in just one hour .... it’s super impressive !

[johnno56]

"own creativity"? I hardly think so... All I did was to replace a few commands that N7 could recognise. The logic, layout and functions were "created" by the AI. At the moment, I find AI an interesting concept, worthy of research.

Based on what I have seen, when Basic was the 'new kid on the block', up to now when AI can create the programs for us... Yes. I agree. That is super impressive... but I have concerns about this new 'tool'.... Moo Ha Ha Ha....

[Marcus]

Okay, I saw this post and had to take a 10 minute break from work to test it.

I am really impressed by this! I certainly see that it can be of help for new beginners. Even more experienced coders could start off with some ai generated code and turn it into something better. I quickly made it more n7ish by getting rid of the separate arrays for all pieces of data for the invaders.

Please do more experiments like this!  

Code:

set window "Space Invaders", 320, 240, false, 3
set redraw off

randomize clock()

visible MAX_INV, INV_W, INV_H, INV_IMG
MAX_INV = 40
INV_W = 11
INV_H = 8

' Marcus: Fill array inv with tables containing x, y and alive fields.
visible inv = fill([x: 0, y: 0, alive: false], MAX_INV)

visible bg
visible playerX
visible bulletX
visible bulletY
visible bulletAlive
visible score
visible hiscore
visible level
visible invSpeed
visible frameCount
visible shotCount
visible average
visible cellCount
visible cellTimer
shotCount = 0
average = 0
frameCount = 0
hiscore = 0
cellCount = 0
cellTimer = 0

visible black = [0, 0, 16]
visible white = [255, 255, 255]
visible red = [255, 0, 0]
visible green = [0, 255, 0]
visible cyan = [0, 255, 255]
visible yellow = [255, 255, 0]
visible orange = [255, 128, 0]

fnt = createfont("arial", 12)
set font fnt

bg = loadimage("assets/background.png")
player = loadimage("assets/player.png")
invader1 = loadimage("assets/alien1.png", 2, 1)
invader2 = loadimage("assets/alien2.png", 2, 1)
invader3 = loadimage("assets/alien3.png", 2, 1)
explode = loadimage("explode.png")
bullet = loadimage("assets/bullet.png")

dead = loadsound("assets/dead.wav")
laser = loadsound("assets/laser.wav")

InitGame()

do
    set color black
    cls
    set color white
    draw image bg, 0, 0
   
    '  ====================
    '      UPDATE STUFF
    '  --------------------
   
    '  Move Player
    if keydown(KEY_LEFT) and playerX > 1    playerX = playerX - 3
    if keydown(KEY_RIGHT) and playerX < width(primary) - 17 playerX = playerX + 3
   
    '  Fire Bullet
    if keydown(KEY_SPACE) and bulletAlive = false
        play sound laser
        shotCount = shotCount + 1
        bulletX = playerX + 6
        bulletY = 230
        bulletAlive = true
    endif
   
    '  Update Bullet
    if bulletAlive
        bulletY = bulletY - 6
        if bulletY < -7    bulletAlive = false
    endif
   
    '  Move Invaders
    frameCount = frameCount + 1
    if frameCount % (15 - level) = 0
        for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
            if inv[i].alive  inv[i].x = inv[i].x + invSpeed
        next
        '  Bounce invaders off screen edge
        for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
            if inv[i].alive and (inv[i].x > 300 or inv[i].x < 10)
                invSpeed = invSpeed * -1
                for j = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
                    if inv[j].alive  inv[j].y = inv[j].y + 5
                    if inv[j].y > 230
                        invaded()
                        end
                    endif
                next
                break
            endif
        next
    endif
   
    '  Collision Detection
    ' Marcus: ok, this piece code was kind of ineffective :)
    'for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
    '    if invAlive[i] and bulletAlive
    '        if bulletX > invX[i] and bulletX < invX[i] + INV_W and bulletY > invY[i] and bulletY < invY[i] + INV_H
    '            play sound dead
    '            invAlive[i] = false
    '            bulletAlive = false
    '            score = score + 10
    '            if score > hiscore  hiscore = score
    '        endif
    '    endif
    'next
    if bulletAlive
        for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
            if inv[i].alive
                if bulletX > inv[i].x and bulletX < inv[i].x + INV_W and bulletY > inv[i].y and bulletY < inv[i].y + INV_H
                    play sound dead
                    inv[i].alive = false
                    bulletAlive = false
                    score = score + 10
                    if score > hiscore  hiscore = score
                    break
                endif
            endif
        next
    endif

       
    '  Level Up
    allDead = true
    for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
        if inv[i].alive
            allDead = false
            break
        endif
    next
    if allDead = true
        average = int(100 * (40 / shotCount))
        results()
        shotCount = 0
        average = 0
        level = level + 1
        if invSpeed < 0 invSpeed = invSpeed - 1
        if invSpeed = 0 invSpeed = 0
        if invSpeed > 0 invSpeed = invSpeed + 1
        InitInvaders()
    endif

    '  =====================
    '      DISPLAY STUFF
    '  ---------------------
   
    set color white
   
    '  Draw Player
    draw image player, playerX, 230
   
    '  Draw Bullet
    if bulletAlive  draw image bullet, bulletX, bulletY
   
    '  Draw Invaders
    cellTimer = cellTimer + 1
    if cellTimer > 30
        cellCount = cellCount + 1
        if cellCount > 1    cellCount = 0
        cellTimer = 0
    endif
    for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
        if inv[i].alive
            if i >= 0 and i < 20    INV_IMG = invader1
            if i >= 20 and i < 30  INV_IMG = invader2
            if i >= 30              INV_IMG = invader3
            draw image INV_IMG, inv[i].x, inv[i].y, cellCount
        endif
    next
   
    '  Heads Up Display (HUD)
    set color white
    set caret 5, 5; wln "Score:"
    set caret 135, 5; wln "Level:"
    set caret 235, 5; wln "HiScore:"
    set color cyan
    set caret  45, 5; wln str(score)
    set caret 172, 5; wln str(level)
    set color yellow
    set caret 282, 5; wln str(hiscore)
   
    redraw
    fwait 60
until keydown(KEY_ESCAPE, true)

'  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
function InitInvaders()
    for i = 0 to MAX_INV - 1
        inv[i].x = 20 + (i % 10) * 30
        inv[i].y = 25 + int(i / 10) * 20
        inv[i].alive = true
    next
endfunc

function InitGame()
    playerX = 166
    bulletAlive = false
    score = 0
    level = 1
    invSpeed = 1
    InitInvaders()
endfunc

function results()
    wait 500
    set color black
    cls
    set color white
    draw image bg, 0, 0
    set color cyan
    set caret 160, 50
    center "SHOTS FIRED"
    set color green
    set caret 160, 70
    center str(shotCount)
    set color cyan
    set caret 160, 90
    center "ACCURACY"
    set color yellow
    set caret 160, 110
    center str(average)
   
    redraw
   
    wait 4000
endfunc

function invaded()
    wait 500
    set color black
    cls
    set color white
    draw image bg, 0, 0
    set color cyan
    set caret 160, 50
    center "YOU HAVE BEEN INVADED!!"
    set color green
    set caret 160, 70
    center "BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!"
   
    redraw
   
    wait 4000
endfunc

[kevin]

This is indeed impressive. I must admit that I have never knowingly used AI except when doing google searches - perhaps I need to check it out too.....

[Marcus]

This is indeed impressive. I must admit that I have never knowingly used AI except when doing google searches - perhaps I need to check it out too.....

I don't mind using AI for music and graphics, because having to create those things myself can really make me give up on game projects. On the other hand, when I'm happy with a game like RW3 I might replace all textures with handmade stuff.

I enjoy coding too much to let an AI do it for me. But I'm still impressed and want to see more of it!

[johnno56]

Marcus,

I see what you mean by "ineffective" and then incorporating the collision detection with the 'bullet'... cool...

I really need to understand arrays / tables better. I have been using arrays since Moses was a boy and might, just might, be a little set in my ways... lol  The "array[].field" thing confuses me to no end. When to use an array or a table? Is there a difference? If there is a difference, how do they differ?

Hmm... "More experiments" you say? Funny that you should ask. I have attempted several games (using several languages - N7, RCBasic and QB64) such as Dino Runner, Asteroids, Breakout, Mario, Checkers with varying degrees of failure... lol The failure stems from my lack of being clear enough with articulating the necessary requirements for each game. Hence, the need for keeping the games "simple"... lol  It took several attempts to get "invaders" to where it is today. I suppose it will be just a matter of time...

I will revisit Dino... I have my doubts... lol

Before I forget, thank you for the game mods...

[Marcus]

I really need to understand arrays / tables better. I have been using arrays since Moses was a boy and might, just might, be a little set in my ways... lol  The "array[].field" thing confuses me to no end. When to use an array or a table? Is there a difference? If there is a difference, how do they differ?

Maybe the word "associative array" is better than "table"? You can simply use strings as "indexes" (keys) in arrays. And array.x is just a prettier way of writing array["x"]. I use string keys when you'd use "structs" or "records" in other languages.

In the space invader game the inv array is a two dimensional array where the inner arrays use the string keys x, y and alive. You could also have used numerical indexes for the inner arrays: inv[i][0] instead of inv[i].x, inv[i][1] instead of inv[i].y ...