MsPacMan
Latest
Microsoft’s AI earns perfect Ms Pac-Man score
Some tasks are just too complex, too nuanced to tackle all at once, like beating all 256 levels of Ms. Pac-Man on the Atari 2600 while earning a perfect score of 999,990. That's why Microsoft didn't even try to train its AI to take it on in one go. Instead the company, as it announced on Wednesday, split this monumental challenge up into smaller, chomp-sized pieces and trained a hivemind of 150 AIs to accomplish it as a team.
Humans can help AI learn games more quickly
Google taught DeepMind to play Atari games all on its own, but letting humans help may be faster, according to researchers from Microsoft and Germany. They invited folks of varying skills to play five Atari 2600 titles: Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Video Pinball, Q*Bert and Montezuma's Revenge. After watching 45 hours of human gameplay, the algorithm could beat its mentors at pinball, though it struggled at Montezuma's revenge -- just as Deepmind did.
Namco Interview
Gaming Bits has a fascinating interview up with Scott Rubin, VP of Namco Networks/Games--the people who brought you the iPod release of Ms. PAC-MAN. I'm not sure I agree that the iPod is a "perfect device for games", but I'm really pleased to see the selection of third-party software for the iPod grow. It looks like Namco, who is working with Apple not just on current iPod games but also for iPhone ones, will be delivering several more iPod games over time including both classic arcade titles (like "Mr. Do") and newly developed ones tied to licenses like Snoopy and Dilbert. As for Rubin's discussion about purchase models, I have no trouble going to a computer to purchase my games but I'd be surprised if the iPhone didn't eventually offer on-the-go sales for things like games and ringtones at some point let alone buying tracks to play back on the iPod portion of the phone.
GOW maps are live (so is Ms. Pac-Man) [update 1]
The Gears of War map pack is now available (as if Gears fanboys didn't already know). We've detailed the two new maps -- Raven Down and Old Bones -- already, but we'll be taking them for a test spin today and letting you know what's what. Also available is a special GOW map pack theme and an introductory video from Epic's boy wonder, CliffyB. So, download the maps, look for us online, and help us test these suckers out!Oh yeah, there's some game out for Live Arcade as well. Ms. Porc-Chop or something ....Update: Added the introductory video with CliffyB. Thanks to rivithed from Gaming Bits for spotting it.
The History of Gaming at E3
Kentia Hall is showcasing the history of gaming with classic arcade booths that attendees can try for free. Click below to check out our collection of photos from the display.
Pac Mac/Ms. Pac Man on your iPod
Forget Breakout. Those industrious folks at the iPodLinux Project have gotten Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man to run on their 5G iPods, as well as their nanos. It's actually an iPod port of the MAME project, and it just looks fantastic. I may have to install Linux on my 'Pod just so I can check this out.[Via Joystiq]
