What is the Sub-sumptive AI ?
X-Com uses what’s called “Sub-sumtive AI” (a system created by MIT for industrial robotics) to simulate the thought processes of realistic people. Each character is affected by a series of urges that are combined and compared with his or her emotional state to produce a reaction based on their personality. Are they low on morale? Low on ammo? Did they just see a teammate die? Are they near a commander? Can they hear aliens nearby? What were they just ordered to do? Every character then chooses from the strongest of their many impulses to act out a behavior. “If you order four troopers to do the same thing,” Clark tells us, “You’re going to get four different results based on their emotional state. The Emotions of War Troopers in Alliance can be secure, insecure, panicked, disgusted at a sight, themselves or a situation, they can be elated, frightened, or sad. Their speech, movement, and combat effectiveness will be affected by these factors. Players will be able to view a troopers mora
