Sam Snodgrass – författare

This book surveys current and future approaches to generating video game content with machine learning or Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning (PCGML).  Machine learning is having a major impact on many industries, including the video game industry.  PCGML addresses the use of computers to generate new types of content for video games (game levels, quests, characters, etc.) by learning from existing content.  The authors illustrate how PCGML is poised to transform the video games industry and provide the first ever beginner-focused guide to PCGML.  This book features an accessible introduction to machine learning topics, and readers will gain a broad understanding of currently employed PCGML approaches in academia and industry.  The authors provide guidance on how best to set up a PCGML project and identify open problems appropriate for a research project or thesis.  This book is written with machine learning and games novices in mind and includes discussions of practical and ethical considerations along with resources and guidance for starting a new PCGML project.

This second edition updates and expands upon the first beginner-focused guide to Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning (PCGML), which is the use of computers to generate new types of content for video games (game levels, quests, characters, etc.) by learning from existing content. The authors survey current and future approaches to generating video game content and illustrate the major impact that PCGML has had on video games industry. In order to provide the most up-to-date information, this new edition incorporates the last two years of research and advancements in this rapidly developing area. The book guides readers on how best to set up a PCGML project and identify open problems appropriate for a research project or thesis. The authors discuss the practical and ethical considerations for PCGML projects and demonstrate how to avoid the common pitfalls. This second edition also introduces a new chapter on Generative AI, which covers the benefits, risks, and methods for applying pre-trained transformers to PCG problems.

This second edition updates and expands upon the first beginner-focused guide to Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning (PCGML), which is the use of computers to generate new types of content for video games (game levels, quests, characters, etc.) by learning from existing content. The authors survey current and future approaches to generating video game content and illustrate the major impact that PCGML has had on video games industry. In order to provide the most up-to-date information, this new edition incorporates the last two years of research and advancements in this rapidly developing area. The book guides readers on how best to set up a PCGML project and identify open problems appropriate for a research project or thesis. The authors discuss the practical and ethical considerations for PCGML projects and demonstrate how to avoid the common pitfalls. This second edition also introduces a new chapter on Generative AI, which covers the benefits, risks, and methods for applying pre-trained transformers to PCG problems.