Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 9, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The future of computer games in all its facets—that is what visitors to gamescom 2009 will encounter. The leading European trade fair for the games industry, taking place in Cologne for the first time, attracts not only interested members of the public but above all trade visitors from around the world. At the Artificial Technology GmbH stand (Hall 4.2, Stand K27), the company’s three leading figures, Frank Gwosdz, Serein Pfeiffer and Daniel Renner, introduce them to the secret of EKI One 2.0, the new full version of their modular middleware for emotional and artificial intelligence.
Making virtual worlds more emotional is what Artificial Technology GmbH stands for. “Available computer and video games often lack lively and, above all, lifelike characters,” Managing Director Frank Gwosdz explains of the shortcoming in the existing range. “Our goal is to create characters that show feelings, make contacts, communicate and can learn.” Together with his two colleagues Serein Pfeiffer and Daniel Renner, he turned this into a successful business idea and developed modular middleware for emotional and artificial intelligence: EKI One.
“EKI One enables game producers to incorporate complex artificial intelligence approaches into their titles in a simple way,” explains Frank Gwosdz. “This makes it possible to implement thoroughly lively behaviours in games and create authentically holistic worlds.” EKI One consists of three components: the core technology (EKI One Engine) encompasses pathfinding, movement behaviour and systems for perception, decision-making and planning, and guarantees effortless integration into existing software environments. The EKI One Configurator can be used to create complex artificial intelligence (AI). To ensure that the product can be individually adapted to customer requirements, integrated into a game and deployed, Artificial rounds off the EKI One range with comprehensive support.
The first version, EKI One 1.0, appeared in spring 2008. At gamescom 2009, the “Artificials” are now presenting the expanded EKI One 2.0 version.
