Engenuity Debuts Free AI.implant License For AAA Titles

Engenuity has revealed it is giving its AI middleware product, AI.implant to selected high-profile customers for free - the deal gives AI.implant source code to the licensee at no cost for an “exchange for services arrangement” - Gamasutra spoke to the firm about the announcement. We spoke about this particular announcement with Andrew Elvish, vice president of marketing for the firm, who indicated such promotions might entail placing AI.implant logos prominently on video game box art or other merchandise or materials. The deal also gives the developers complete access to the AI.implant source code, which had previously been kept behind closed doors. Elvish said Engenuity decided to provide the source code due to demand from gamemaking community. Existing game customers developing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games will be able to qualify, said Elvish, while new customers will be encouraged to apply. Elvish confirmed also that “the software is not going to become open source.” Aside from game developers, AI.implant customers also include companies in the visualization and simulation market, who will not be able to qualify for the no-cost model agreement and who receive a slightly different version of the product when they purchase it. AI.implant, which provides artificial intelligence to NPCs and crowds in games, is currently used by several major game makers, including Midway (John Woo’s Stranglehold), BioWare, Electronic Arts, and Sierra Entertainment. According to Elvish, the strength of the product is that it provides a “real sense of immersive reality in games,” with no more “guys getting stuck in the corner, banging their heads against the wall.”