Push the boundaries in AI testing with our open-source project.
Cutting-edge Research Project
About the Project
Cutting-Edge Game Research
Guardian of the Realm: Siege of the Golem is an innovative project that combines commercial viability with open-source accessibility, providing a unique ground for researchers in the fields of AI in games particularly natural language processing (NLP) and procedural content generation (PCG).
This medieval fantasy survival strategy game will be available for testing through a dedicated GitHub repository, which will host the game's source code, with accessible technical documentation, and a comprehensive game design document.
By allowing researchers to access and tweak and modify the game's code, the project aims to facilitate experimentation with AI-driven narrative generation and dynamic content creation foe analysis purpose. The game features a rich environment where players control the Guardian, tasked with defending their realm from the Golem's invasion while managing resources and building defenses.
The open-source nature of the project encourages collaboration and innovation, making it a valuable resource for both game developers and AI researchers. As the game progresses toward commercialisation, it will maintain its commitment to community engagement and knowledge sharing, ensuring that advancements in AI and game design are accessible to all.
Approach
Research Opportunities
Natural Language Processing
Dialogue Generation: Implement and test NLP models for creating dynamic character interactions and quest descriptions.
Narrative Adaption: Explore how NLP can be used to generate and modify storylines based on player actions.
Procedural Content Generation
World Building: Develop algorithms for procedurally generating island layouts, resource distributions, and enemy spawn patterns.
Character Creation: Test PCG techniques for generating diverse NPCs, enemies, and customizable player characters.
Game Features for AI research
Dynamic Quest System: Ideal for testing NLP-driven narrative generation.
Resource Management: Provides a complex environment for AI decision-making algorithms.
Combat Mechanics: Offers opportunities for testing AI opponents and strategic planning.
Progression System: Allows for the study of player behavior and adaptive difficulty scaling.
Strategic Plan for this project
Our strategic roadmap for this research project includes the following steps:
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Analyzing Results and Implementing Recommendations
After substantial experimentation and data collection, we will analyze the results to draw meaningful conclusions. Insights gathered from these experiments will help improve both the game mechanics and the AI algorithms. Recommendations will be shared openly with the research community to drive further innovation
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Commercialization and Community Engagement
As we move towards commercialization, the project will offer a standard version of the game that integrates NLP and PCG features to showcase its potential. While this version will serve as a sample for researchers, we will remain committed to community engagement and knowledge sharing, ensuring the game remains an open platform for AI and game design advancements.
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Maintaining Open-Source Collaboration
After commercialisation, Guardian of the Realm will maintain its open-source roots, encouraging continued collaboration and innovation. This approach ensures that the latest developments in AI and game design are accessible to all, solidifying the project's role as a valuable resource for researchers and developers alike.
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Defining Objectives and Initial Development
We have defined the core objectives of the project and completed the initial development phases, establishing a foundation for the game that supports both commercial and research purposes.
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Improving the Environment and Community Building
We are currently enhancing the game's environment to make it accessible for a wide range of AI testing techniques. This involves refining the open-source codebase and preparing comprehensive technical documentation and a detailed game design document, all of which will be hosted on a dedicated GitHub repository. Concurrently, we are building a strong community by encouraging collaboration among game developers, AI researchers, and enthusiasts.
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Facilitating Experimentation and Analysis
By providing access to the game's source code, we aim to enable researchers to experiment with AI-driven narrative generation and dynamic content creation. This phase will focus on fostering a rich environment for exploration, where researchers can modify and adapt the game's elements to test new AI models and techniques.
An open-source commercial game project for researching AI techniques with UE5, ideal for NLP & PCG testing.
Discover Project Insights
Dive into the detailed vision and mechanics of the game, outlining objectives, gameplay loops, and narrative elements.
Access the technical specifications, including engine choice, network infrastructure, and system requirements that drive the game's development.
Collaborate and visualize key concepts, design processes, and project timelines on our interactive Miro board.
Meet the Minds
Behind the creation of the Guardian Of The Realm: Siege Of The Ancient
Saad Saihi
Founder and Lead Developer
An accomplished Technical Art Director and Senior Game Designer with extensive experience in the gaming industry.
At Metrocalk Studio, he contributed to numerous game titles and non-game projects, leveraging his expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine. Saad's work is distinguished by his strong interest in the intersection of AI and gaming. With over four years as a Senior Game Designer, he has transitioned into academia, now serving as a lecturer and researcher.
Saad has taught game programming, animation, and game design at over five Higher Education institutions across the UK.
What motivated you to create Guardian of the Realm?
The idea was born from my experience as a researcher investigating various aspects of video games, particularly in game design. Throughout my studies, I encountered numerous obstacles when attempting to conduct thorough literature reviews. Many successful commercial games were essentially "black boxes," with their behind-the-scenes creation processes inaccessible for analysis.
This challenge sparked the vision for our game. We set out to create a commercial-quality game that would also serve as an open platform for researchers and developers. Guardian of the Realm combines the depth and polish of a commercial title with the transparency and accessibility needed for academic study and experiments in this field.
How does Guardian of the Realm differentiate itself from other games in the survival strategy genre, and what unique features does it offer to players?
By making our source code, technical documentation, and game design document publicly available, we aim to bridge the gap between commercial game development and academic research. This approach allows researchers to delve into the intricacies of natural language processing, procedural content generation, and other cutting-edge game technologies within a real-world context.
Our game offers a rich medieval fantasy setting, complete with strategic gameplay, resource management, and dynamic storytelling. These elements provide fertile ground for exploring AI-driven narrative generation, adaptive difficulty scaling, and procedural world-building.
what's the next step on this project?
We believe that by fostering collaboration between industry professionals and academic researchers, we can drive innovation in game development while contributing valuable insights to the field of game studies. Guardian of the Realm is more than just a game – we believe it can become a bridge between commercial success and academic advancement in the world of video games. Our aim is to have as much collaborators as we can to make sure we are in the right direction.
News & Resources
Latest Updates
Exciting Developments at Watershed Bristol: Welcoming New Collaborators and Open Call for Participation
We are thrilled to announce a recent meeting held at Watershed Bristol with a group of leading researchers who have shown a strong interest in joining our innovative project team.
These experts bring diverse backgrounds and valuable insights, and we are eager to reveal their names and roles in the coming weeks. Our website will soon be updated to highlight these new team members and outline the exciting developments they will contribute to.
We also extend an open call for participation: whether you are interested in collaborating with us, bringing your expertise, or simply want to learn more about the project, we encourage you to get in touch.
Together, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in game design and AI research.
Guardian of the Realm: Siege of the Golem Development Advances
We’re excited to update you on the progress of "uardian of the Realm: Siege of the Golem. The game’s core features, including resource management, base building, and defense mechanics, are actively being tested.
Players will navigate a rich medieval fantasy world with distinct islands, each offering unique quests and strategic challenges.
Key advancements include the development of diverse enemy types and dynamic character designs.
The Guardian and enemies like goblins and towering monsters are coming to life, enhancing the game’s combat experience. The narrative is also being refined to deepen the story and player engagement.
We invite collaborators and interested parties to join us in this exciting project. For more information or to get involved, please reach out. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the game’s release!
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