Computational Media Design: Using Graph Data to Improve Non-Player Character Acting in Games

Brierley, Owen Douglas

Computational Media Design: Using Graph Data to Improve Non-Player Character Acting in Games

dc.contributor.advisor	Finn, Patrick
dc.contributor.advisor	Jacob, Christian
dc.contributor.author	Brierley, Owen Douglas
dc.contributor.committeemember	Aycock, John
dc.contributor.committeemember	Sengupta, Pratim
dc.contributor.committeemember	Zhao, Richard
dc.contributor.committeemember	Leblanc, Jean-Rene
dc.contributor.committeemember	Guzdial, Matthew
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-20T14:10:13Z
dc.date.available	2023-09-20T14:10:13Z
dc.date.issued	2023-09-14
dc.description.abstract	This thesis uses graph databases to enhance non-player character (NPC) behavior in computer games. The approach is tested in three discrete projects by developing and using the Neo4jConnector, a custom toolkit enabling novel bi-directional communication between real-time simulation data and server-based graph database long-term storage. The first project demonstrates the Neo4jConnector’s use in recording player movement as graph data and facilitating NPC movement playback from this data. The second project explores improving NPCs’ non-deterministic behaviors through q-learning, a reinforcement learning algorithm, and storing the resultant graph data in the server-based database. The third project investigates dynamically loading 3D geometry from a graph database in multi-scale cellular simulations, supporting intricate bioinformatics simulations necessitating non-deterministic agent actions. Emphasizing an artist’s approach to Computational Media Design, the research targets animators, game makers, bioinformatics researchers, and the growing field of games research. Through an elaborative design process, the thesis showcases the value of incorporating graph databases in game production environments, offering new opportunities to create more realistic and adaptive NPC behaviors that boost player engagement and improve the quality of simulations for future research.
dc.identifier.citation	Brierley, O. D. (2023). Computational Media Design: using graph data to improve non-player character acting in games (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/117104
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Computer Game Production
dc.subject	Graph Databases
dc.subject	Non-Player Character Acting
dc.subject	Reinforcement Learning
dc.subject.classification	Theater
dc.subject.classification	Bioinformatics
dc.subject.classification	Computer Science
dc.title	Computational Media Design: Using Graph Data to Improve Non-Player Character Acting in Games
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Computational Media Design
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.