The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion E3 Preview
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Bethesda's most prized accomplishment isn't the dynamic levels or the enormous world, no, not even the insanely realistic texture mapping or the physics engine. Bethesda's most prized accomplishment is Radiant AI. Radiant AI moderates over 1000 AI characters - it gives them full 24 hour schedules, personalities, likes, dislikes. NPC (non-playable characters) will now read, learn, eat, and level their abilities up just like the main character. We saw a woman practicing archery, then get angry at her dog and torch him with a fireball. The unfortunate dog yelped for its life as it ran downstairs. Radiant AI in action allows characters to remember you. They remember conversations and respond realistically to your questions - depending on who you are and what you've done for them. This amount of detail is not new exactly, it has been implemented before, to some degree in Shenmue for the XBox, and even in games like The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker for the GameCube. But never has an AI system been constructed to allow 1000 characters independent development, likes, dislikes, schedules, abilities, etc. Oblivion is looking to set the bar for single player RPGs once again.
