DStroth authors the FireBot for Half-Life's Firearms mod.
celtic88: What type of work do you do?
DStroth: I'm a student in high school, but I'm interested in being a game programmer in the future.
celtic88: How did you get started out with bot AI?
DStroth: Before I started FireBot I had been looking for something to do to improve my C++ skills. When botman released the source code to the HPB-bot it was the perfect opportunity to do that. I hadn't really thought much about AI before working on FireBot, so I guess that would be where I started out with bot AI.
celtic88: How long have you been working on the Firebot so far?
DStroth: I think I started working on FireBot in mid August.
celtic88: Was this your first bot?
DStroth: Yes, in fact, it’s the first program I've ever released.
celtic88: What do you view as the most difficult job at programming the bot?
DStroth: Getting the bots to act like a human player is the biggest problem I have with my bot. Of course, I imagine this is a problem that almost all bot authors have. So, I would say that the navigation system has been the most difficult part of FireBot to get working. Having the bots navigate from one to place to another reliably, and not consume too many resources is quite challenging. I'm hoping that the new navigation system I'm working on right now will help solve this problem.
celtic88: Do you plan on creating waypoints for all of the maps?
DStroth: Yes, eventually. I'm hoping to have almost all the maps supported in the next version (that is, if I get the improved nav system working). However, some maps require crouch-jumping to get through certain points, and I've been running into many problems with getting the bots to do this reliably. So those maps may not be fully supported, if at all.
celtic88: What are some of the features we can expect in later versions?
DStroth: An improved waypoint based navigation system is my highest priority right now, and should make it into the next major version (0.3). In addition to that I hope to tweak the attack code. For later versions I plan on implementing some squad based AI and more configuration options. I hope to have the next version out by the end of the month (to coincide with the release of RC2.4 of the Firearms HL Mod). A launcher program should also be included in this release to make starting a game much simpler (I've completed most of it, but need to add a few more functions). I plan on making a bug fix release available within a few days.
It will incorporate some of the above features, including some improved targeting code and many bug fixes/tweaks.
celtic88: How long do you think you'll be working on the Fire bot?
DStroth: I hope to continue working on the bot as long as the Firearms Mod is being actively developed.
celtic88: Do you get a lot of positive feedback?
DStroth: So far I've only received positive feedback. It certainly helps motivate me to work on FireBot. =)
celtic88: Are there any upcoming games you are looking forward to?
DStroth: Right now Tribes 2 is what I'm most interested in. With a greatly improved graphics engine, additional vehicles and weapons, and of course bots I think this will be a great game.
celtic88: Anything else you would like to say?
DStroth: Hmm.. I can't seem to think of anything else right now. =)
